Edited by: Fern Sidman

Billionaire Len Blavatnik has thrown his support behind Apollo CEO Marc Rowan’s efforts to address concerns of anti-Semitism on the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) campus amid the ongoing war that the Hamas terrorist organization launched on Israel on October 7, as was reported by the New York Post. Over 1400 Israelis and others were brutally massacred on that day in what many have termed a modern-day pogrom. Moreover, 240 hostages were taken by Hamas and brought to a labyrinth of tunnels in the Gaza Strip.

In a move that amplifies the pressure on UPenn’s leadership, Blavatnik, who previously endowed a scholarship at UPenn’s Perelman School of Medicine, is aligning with Rowan’s call for change and accountability, according to the Post report.

Unlike Rowan, who has made significant donations to UPenn exceeding $50 million, Blavatnik did not attend the Ivy League institution. However, in 2018, he donated $2 million to establish a scholarship at UPenn’s medical school. The Post report also indicated that in a letter addressed to UPenn President Liz Magill and Medical School Dean Larry Jameson, Blavatnik expressed gratitude for their responses to a previous letter, the details of which were not immediately available.

Acknowledging the university’s condemnation of recent Hamas terror attacks and its recognition of resurgent anti-Semitism on campus, Blavatnik urged UPenn to examine how its culture may have deviated from its foundational values, according to the Post report. He emphasized the need for immediate steps to rectify the situation and expressed his reliance on the guidance of his friend and colleague, Marc Rowan, in the ongoing efforts.

Recent internal dynamics within UPenn’s board saw a failed attempt by some trustees to stage a vote of no confidence against UPenn Chair Scott Bok, as was stated in the Post report. Despite initial discontent among a few donors and trustees, the university announced overwhelming support for Bok to continue in his role.

Sources close to the situation have labeled some supporting trustees as “spineless weasels” and “pathetic,” the Post report noted. Dissatisfied donors, however, view Rowan’s ability to rally influential figures like Blavatnik as a potential catalyst for change at UPenn. The involvement of heavy-hitters in Rowan’s cause has instilled confidence among those seeking reform within the university, the Post report added.

Reports suggest that Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro has been urged to consider involvement in the matter. According to an esoteric law, the governor, if present at a UPenn Board of Trustees meeting, can assume control of the proceedings, as was noted in the Post report. David Krone, an Apollo executive and close friend of Governor Shapiro, has been speculated to have influenced these considerations.

While Shapiro has not yet made a formal appearance or forced a vote of no confidence, sources indicate that it remains a strategic option, the report in the Post suggested. The potential for political intervention adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing situation, highlighting the gravity of the issues at stake.

As pressure mounts on university leadership, the involvement of influential figures and potential political intervention adds layers of complexity to the ongoing controversy. The outcome of these efforts will undoubtedly shape the future narrative of UPenn and its stance on addressing issues of discrimination and cultural values within its academic community.