Hunter College Reworks Palestinian Studies Professorship Amid Antisemitism Concerns
Hunter College, a constituent college of the City University of New York (CUNY), is revising its job posting for a Palestinian Studies professorship after New York Governor Kathy Hochul intervened, citing concerns about potential antisemitism. The initial job listing was removed following Hochul’s directive, prompting a review of the hiring process and the language used in the original posting.
The controversy stems from the language used in the initial job description, which, according to critics, promoted biased and potentially antisemitic perspectives. A screenshot of the original posting, obtained by the New York Post, revealed that the position sought a scholar who would apply a "critical lens" to issues related to Palestine, including "settler colonialism, genocide, human rights, apartheid, migration, climate and infrastructure devastation, health, race, gender, and sexuality."
Governor Hochul’s office issued a statement emphasizing the need to ensure that antisemitic theories are not promoted within CUNY classrooms. "Governor Hochul has directed CUNY to immediately remove this job posting and conduct a thorough review of the position to ensure that antisemitic theories are not promoted in the classroom," the statement read. "The governor has continued to strongly condemn all forms of antisemitism and has made clear that hateful rhetoric of any kind has no place at CUNY or anywhere in New York State."
CUNY Chancellor Felix Matos and Board of Trustees Chairperson William Thompson echoed Hochul’s concerns, stating that they "strongly agree" with the governor’s decision and found the posting’s language "divisive, polarizing, and inappropriate." They pledged to collaborate with the governor and other stakeholders to combat antisemitism on CUNY campuses and address hate in all its forms.
Despite the removal of the initial posting, faculty members at Hunter College remain committed to filling the Palestinian Studies position. The hiring committees have reportedly resubmitted the job posting, according to The Nation, but the revised version must undergo review by Hunter’s dean of diversity and compliance to ensure it aligns with the school’s legal antidiscrimination obligations.
The controversy surrounding the Hunter College job posting reflects broader concerns about antisemitism on college campuses, particularly in the context of the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Since the October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas on Israel, which resulted in the deaths of over 1,100 people, and the subsequent war in the Gaza Strip, concerns about antisemitism have intensified within the education sector.
Anti-Israel protests have become commonplace on U.S. college campuses, with demonstrators demanding a ceasefire and expressing strong opposition to Israel’s policies. These protests have sometimes been accompanied by incidents of antisemitism, raising concerns about the safety and inclusion of Jewish students.
Jeffrey Lax, a CUNY law professor and founder of S.A.F.E. Campus, an organization dedicated to combating antisemitism within the public college system, criticized the original curriculum outlined in the job posting. He argued that the curriculum relied on "classic [antisemitic] tropes" and should not have been approved by the CUNY trustees.
The debate over the Hunter College Palestinian Studies professorship comes as several U.S. medical schools face scrutiny from civil rights officials over alleged antisemitism at commencement ceremonies. These investigations highlight the growing awareness of and concern about antisemitism in higher education.
In February, CUNY rescinded its resolution in support of the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement, a movement that aims to pressure Israel through economic and cultural boycotts. The rescission came just one month after the resolution was initially passed, underscoring the ongoing tensions and debates surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict within the CUNY system.
The Hunter College situation underscores the complexities of academic freedom, the need for open and critical inquiry, and the imperative to ensure that academic discourse does not cross the line into antisemitism or other forms of discrimination. As Hunter College revises its job posting and reevaluates its hiring process, it faces the challenge of finding a scholar who can contribute meaningfully to the field of Palestinian Studies while upholding the university’s commitment to inclusivity and combating antisemitism. The revised posting will likely need to demonstrate a balanced approach, acknowledging diverse perspectives on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and avoiding language that could be construed as biased or hateful.
