British perfume magnate Jo Malone’s son is reportedly one of three Harvard Undergraduate Palestine Solidarity Committee student leaders who helped publish a letter earlier this week blaming Israel for the devastating Hamas terrorist attacks against the Jewish people.
According to The Daily Mail, Malone’s son, 22-year-old Josh Wilcox, is studying Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations at Harvard, with a specialization in Arabic. Wilcox is also a member of Harvard’s fencing team.
As one of three reported leaders of the Undergraduate Palestine Solidarity Committee, Wilcox has published at least three articles through the Harvard Crimson in support of Palestine, including “To the Editor: When Will You Stop Silencing Palestine?” in February.
According to The New York Post, Wilcox wrote an op-ed in January that criticized Harvard Kennedy School for offering a fellowship to Amos Yadlin, who formerly served as a senior officer in the Israel’s military. Wilcox blasted Harvard for “welcom[ing] agents of colonial violence.”
READ MORE: 31 Harvard groups blame Israel for Hamas killing 700 civilians
Last Saturday, 31 Harvard student organizations, including the Undergraduate Palestine Solidarity Committee, released a letter blaming Israel for the terrorist attacks committed by Hamas, saying, “The apartheid regime is the only one to blame. Israeli violence has structured every aspect of Palestinian existence for 75 years. From systematized land seizures to routine airstrikes, arbitrary detentions to military checkpoints, and enforced family separations to targeted killings, Palestinians have been forced to live in a state of death, both slow and sudden.”
Malone, who was the founder and owner of Jo Malone before selling the perfume company to Estee Lauder in 1999, provided a statement to The Daily Mail in response to the violence against Israel; however, she refused to address her son’s involvement in the Harvard student group’s controversial letter.
“We as a family are heartbroken by the events of recent days and strongly condemn all forms of violence. The abhorrent attack on innocent people on Saturday in Israel is beyond what any family should endure,” Malone said. “We again strongly condemn all forms of violence and those that incite it. We have always acted with a heart for people wanting always to strive towards a peaceful solution to any conflict.”
Malone described the Hamas attacks against Israel as a “horrendous moment” in history that has resulted in “innocent people” being forced to pay “the greatest price with their lives.” Malone called for the “utterly heartbreaking” situation to be brought to an end.
“As a family our hearts goes out to all those suffering terrible losses at this time and we send untold gratitude to all those selflessly risking their lives for others,” she added. “We call upon all leaders to find a humanitarian resolution for all.”
According to The Daily Mail, Malone emphasized that her statement to the news outlet would be the only comment she would make regarding the violent events in Israel.
