【明報專訊】SERIOUS SOCIAL RIFTS have been a long-standing problem in the US. The conflict between Israel and Palestine has intensified such divisions. The US Congress even summoned the presidents of three top universities to testify early last month. As the presidents had to strike a balance between safeguarding academic freedom and freedom of speech and withstanding social pressure, they were unable to satisfy the congressmen when responding to their questions. The presidents of the University of Pennsylvania and Harvard University resigned one after another.