Harvard Hires Graduate Previously Charged with Assaulting Israeli Student

Cambridge, MA – Harvard University has appointed Elom Tettey-Tamaklo, a graduate who faced misdemeanor assault and battery charges for confronting an Israeli classmate during a 2023 campus protest, as a Graduate Teaching Fellow. The decision has ignited significant controversy, with critics questioning the university's judgment given the prior legal proceedings. Aviva Klompas, a prominent commentator, expressed strong disapproval, stating, > "Well this is some real horseshit from @Harvard. ... Not only was he not expelled — Harvard has now rewarded him with a job."

The charges stemmed from an incident in October 2023, where Tettey-Tamaklo was filmed confronting first-year Harvard Business School student Yoav Segev during a "die-in" protest following the Hamas terror attack. Reports indicate that Tettey-Tamaklo and another student, Ibrahim Bharmal, allegedly pressed against Segev as he attempted to film the demonstration. This confrontation led to misdemeanor assault and battery charges against both students.

Following the incident, a Boston Municipal Court judge ordered Tettey-Tamaklo to complete anger-management classes, a Harvard negotiation course, and 80 hours of community service. After fulfilling these conditions, the case against him was dismissed in November 2024. While Harvard removed Tettey-Tamaklo from a proctor position shortly after the 2023 incident, citing "student discomfort," the university did not impose further academic sanctions.

Tettey-Tamaklo began his new role as a Graduate Teaching Fellow in August, just months after earning his master’s degree from Harvard Divinity School in May. In this capacity, he is responsible for advising faculty on curriculum design and consulting on complex academic subjects, potentially receiving a stipend of up to $11,000. His LinkedIn profile indicates he assists in areas such as global history, politics, migration, and development.

The university's decision has drawn renewed criticism, echoing previous demands from the Trump administration for Harvard to expel students involved in the October 2023 incident, with threats to federal funding. Yoav Segev, the Israeli student involved, has since filed a federal lawsuit against Harvard, alleging the university used "misleading tactics" that prevented him from pursuing administrative remedies. The controversy highlights ongoing tensions regarding free speech, campus safety, and antisemitism at academic institutions.