The Issue with the Appointment of Johnnie Moore Zaynab Mirza
SNF Agora Visiting Fellow and Executive Chairman of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) Who is Johnnie Moore? He is a visiting fellow affiliated with the SNF Agora Institution at Johns Hopkins University, and currently serves as the Executive Chairman of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), an organization that has been widely condemned for facilitating a militarized and politicized form of humanitarian aid that intentionally dangers civilian lives https://snfagora.jhu.edu/directory/johnnie-moore/
Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) GHF Johnnie Moore- Risk of Legal Liability for Complicity in Serious International Law Violations Center for Constitutional Rights Open Letter New York Times: Who Is Johnnie Moore? New York Times: What to Know About Famine, Hunger and Access to Food in Gaza Aid Groups Blame Israel’s Gaza Restrictions for ‘Mass Starvation’ The Lethal Risk of Seeking Food in Gaza Over 170 aid organizations have signed onto letters condemning the GHF. The UN calls the GHF sites a “death trap” and calls for the organization’s immediate dismantling Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International say it violates humanitarian neutrality U.S. Approves $30 Million for Contentious New Gaza Aid Group
https://www.npr.org/2025/07/21/nx-s1-5471424/gaza-hospitals-british-surgeon-israel-attacks https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/latest/us-backed-aid-distribution-points-gaza-are-sites-orchestrated-killing At Least 20 Killed in Stampede Outside a Gaza Food Site, Aid Group Says → thousands shot
head of org that is complicit in war crimes, responsible + defend
Issue? Violation of JHU’s values Moore is participating in the manipulation of humanitarian aid: GHF has been found responsible on an international basis of the unnecessary loss of life, killing many and continuing to put civilians at risk. As of August 15, the UN reports 994 civilians have been killed at GHF sites. GHF have criticized for collaborating with military forces, creating conditions that have directly led to civilian casualties at aid sites and severely restricted the amount of aid available JHU is a leading institution in public health, including humanitarian studies and human rights, and it has a duty to maintain a commitment to impartiality, neutrality, and respect for human life in the delivery of aid. Having Moore as a visiting fellow contradicts these values, as it undermines the university’s reputation as a global leader in these fields
Issue? 45+ students and affiliates have contacted Prof Hahrie Han (Director of SNF Agora) about this and none have received a reply
This is a student issue because it affects the integrity and values of our academic environment. The presence of a war criminal on campus is a threat to all students. SNF Agora is ignoring dozens of students who have contacted them about this issue. SGA’s role is to advocate for students and it can play a part in ensuring accountability within university structures. For many students, this appointment signals that our university is willing to overlook human suffering. This affects our trust in the institution.
harm reputation of hopkins, affects trust
SGA The role of SGA is the advocate for student concerns, and this initiative is in response to evidence around a deeply concerning campus issue. This isn’t about silencing Johnnie Moore—like all of us, he is free to speak as he wishes. However, Johns Hopkins is also free to decide whom it honors with visiting titles, and that decision should take into account his actions, specifically his involvement with the GHF. We are not aiming to censor- we simply do not want to be associated with his actions. This is about preventing Hopkins from legitimizing war crimes. This resolution is about whether someone whose leadership had contributed to a deadly humanitarian failure should be given a platform by our institution.
not about freedom of speech → last paragraph
Goals Transparency Accountability
Next Step: Discussion with SNF Agora Director https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ER1-SzU2OO15JDQpjf58G_or8TRpX3okmZeMO1W0-qA/edit?usp=sharing
how can we bring this up? invite ro gbm? motion to have discussion
Questions?