HARRISBURG, Pa. - University of Pennsylvania President Liz Magill has announced her resignation following intense pressure from donors and criticism over her testimony at a congressional hearing. The hearing, which focused on antisemitism on college campuses, ignited a firestorm of controversy around Magill's inability to clearly state whether calls for the genocide of Jews violated the school's conduct policy.

Magill, who was in her second year as president of the prestigious Ivy League institution, will remain a tenured faculty member at the university's Carey Law School. She has agreed to continue serving as Penn's leader until an interim president is identified.

The catalyst for the demands for Magill's resignation occurred during a U.S. House committee hearing on antisemitism, where Magill appeared alongside the presidents of Harvard University and MIT. The spotlight was on their universities' ability to protect Jewish students amidst rising fears of antisemitism worldwide and the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

Representative Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., directed pointed questions to Magill, querying whether calling for the genocide of Jews would be considered a violation of Penn's code of conduct. Magill initially responded that if such speech transitioned into conduct, it could be considered harassment. However, when further pressed, she described it as a "context-dependent decision." This response drew significant criticism from various quarters, prompting calls for her resignation.

Criticism poured in from the White House, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, members of Congress, and donors. A notable donor, Ross Stevens, even threatened to withdraw a $100 million gift due to the university's perceived stance on antisemitism unless Magill stepped down.

In response to the mounting pressure, Magill released a video addressing the criticism and acknowledging that a call for the genocide of Jewish people ought to be classified as harassment or intimidation. She also emphasized the need for Penn's policies to be clearly defined and evaluated.

Magill had already faced scrutiny from donors and alumni earlier this year over the university's handling of perceived acts of antisemitism on campus. This included allowing a Palestinian literary arts festival to be held in September, featuring speakers whose past statements about Israel had drawn accusations of antisemitism.

Prior to her tenure at Penn, Magill, 57, had an illustrious career. She served as a U.S. Supreme Court law clerk and was previously the dean of Stanford University's law school. She also held a high-ranking administrative role at the University of Virginia.

Meanwhile, New York Governor Kathy Hochul has urged colleges and universities in the state to take swift action in addressing cases of antisemitism and any calls for genocide on their campuses. In a letter, she emphasized that her administration would enforce violations of the state's Human Rights Law and refer any breaches of federal civil rights law to appropriate authorities.

It is essential to note that the chant, "Israel, we charge you with genocide," commonly heard at pro-Palestinian rallies, has been falsely misrepresented as a call for "Jewish genocide." Experts and advocates assert that the chant is a typical refrain at such events, where supporters denounce specific actions and policies attributed to Israel, not calling for the genocide of Jewish people.

As the University of Pennsylvania begins its search for an interim president, the resignation of Liz Magill marks a turning point in the ongoing debate surrounding antisemitism on college campuses and the responsibilities universities bear in protecting their students.