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View all search resultsUI apologizes for inviting pro-Israel academic to recent event
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A general view of University of Indonesia's rectorate building in Depok, West Java in this photo taken on June 29, 2023. (Shutterstock/fadfebrian)
T
he University of Indonesia (UI) has issued a public apology for inviting Peter Berkowitz, an academic from Stanford University in the United States with alleged links to Israel, to a recent campus event after facing widespread criticism on social media.
In a statement released on Monday via its official social media channels, UI admitted it had failed to conduct a thorough background check, saying the decision to invite Berkowitz was based solely on his academic credentials.
“With utmost humility, UI acknowledges its lack of caution and therefore extends its deepest apologies to the people of Indonesia for the negligence and lack of diligence in vetting a background check on the individual concerned,” the statement read.
The apology came amid mounting anger from UI students, alumni and members of the public over Berkowitz’s participation at an orientation event for the university’s postgraduate program (PSAU), held at its main campus in Depok, West Java, on Aug. 23.
Berkowitz is a senior fellow at Stanford’s Hoover Institution and previously served as director of policy planning at the US State Department during the first term of President Donald Trump.
He has authored multiple books and opinion pieces defending Israel’s military actions in Gaza, as well as its broader security policies.
Read also: Israel pounds Gaza City suburbs, vows to press on with offensive
