CUNY Revises Palestinian Studies Job Posting Following Governor Hochul’s Directive

CUNY Revises Palestinian Studies Job Posting Following Governor Hochul’s Directive

Hunter College in New York City is currently in the process of revising its job posting for the Palestinian Studies professorship. This move comes after New York Governor Kathy Hochul ordered the City University of New York (CUNY) to remove the posting due to concerns about antisemitism.

According to comments made to Fox News Digital, Hunter College confirmed that the job advertisement was taken down in response to the issues raised regarding its language. The college expressed its intention to examine the posting process and remains committed to recruiting scholars who specialize in this discipline to enhance its esteemed faculty.

Details of the Original Job Posting

Although the original job listing was withdrawn, a screenshot revealed crucial aspects of the role, as reported by the New York Post. The posting sought a scholar with a historically grounded perspective who would critically analyze issues related to Palestine. This included various topics such as settler colonialism, genocide, human rights, apartheid, migration, climate change, infrastructure destruction, health, race, gender, and sexuality.

Governor Hochul’s Stance on Antisemitism

Governor Hochul directed CUNY to promptly eliminate the job posting and perform a comprehensive review of the position to ensure that antisemitic ideologies are not promoted in the classroom. A spokesperson for the governor emphasized her strong condemnation of antisemitism, asserting that any form of hateful rhetoric is unacceptable at CUNY and in New York State.

Support from CUNY Leadership

CUNY’s Chancellor, Felix Matos, along with the Board of Trustees Chairperson, William Thompson, issued a joint statement echoing Hochul’s sentiments. They articulated their agreement with the decision, deeming the language in the job posting to be divisive, polarizing, and inappropriate. CUNY’s leadership reiterated their commitment to collaborating with the governor and other stakeholders to combat antisemitism and all forms of hate across the university’s campuses.

Evaluation Process for Academic Positions

According to CUNY’s guidelines for creating new academic programs, proposed courses undergo evaluation by the college, the Board of Trustees, and the state. The hiring committees at Hunter College have reportedly re-submitted the Palestinian studies position. According to recent reports, faculty members are eager to fill the role as soon as possible. However, the updated job posting must first receive approval from the dean of diversity and compliance to ensure it aligns with the school’s antidiscrimination regulations.

Criticism from Within the Academic Community

Jeffrey Lax, a law professor at CUNY and the founder of S.A.F.E. Campus, an organization focused on addressing antisemitism within the public college system, has condemned the CUNY trustees’ initial approval of the Palestinian Studies curriculum. In an interview, he stated that the language included in the program reflects classic antisemitic tropes and criticized the curriculum’s development as deeply inappropriate.

Broader Context of Antisemitism in Education

Since the recent conflict began following a surprise attack by Hamas on Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in over 1,100 fatalities, antisemitism concerns have escalated within educational institutions. A surge of anti-Israel protests has erupted across U.S. colleges, with activists vocally demanding a ceasefire and emphasizing their opposition to Israeli policies.

Furthermore, this climate of heightened tensions led CUNY to rescind its resolution supporting the