[5] The initiative launched with a series of seminars by scholars such as Ruth Wisse, former CIA director James Woolsey, and former Canadian minister of justice Irwin Cotler.
A Yale spokesman stated that the cancelation was allegedly due to the initiative not meeting academic expectations, other reports believed that the closure was political and related to the institute's work on Muslim antisemitism.
[11] Professor Maurice Samuels, director of the new institute, said research would be devoted to both contemporary and historical antisemitism, stating, "Like many, I am concerned by the recent upsurge in violence against Jews around the world.
"[12][13] Small, YIISA's director, expressed skepticism regarding the new program, accusing it of being too historically focused: "Anti-Semitism is a 21st-century relevant issue.
To focus on its roots and history, glosses over issues scholars must address today, especially when it comes to the threat of contemporary radical Islamist anti-Semitism.