Columbia Prof Resigns Over School’s Decision to Have Academic Who Praised October 7th Attacks Teach Zionism Course
“Columbia has lost not only its moral compass, but its intellectual one.”
What is happening at Columbia University is intentional. It’s impossible to see it any other way.
The Jerusalem Post reports:
Columbia adjunct professor resigns after academic who praised October 7 to teach Zionism course
A Columbia University adjunct professor announced his resignation on Monday in response to a report from The Jerusalem Post that an academic who praised the October 7 massacre will be teaching a course on Zionism.
International and public affairs adjunct professor Lawrence Rosenblatt sent a resignation letter to the Columbia administration in response to Prof. Joseph Massad’s scheduled teaching of the undergraduate course, History of the Jewish Enlightenment in 19th century Europe and the Development of Zionism.
“I hereby resign my position as a member of the Columbia University faculty, effective immediately,” said Rosenblatt. Massad “has advocated for the destruction of the State of Israel and celebrated the October 7 attacks.”
NEW: @ColumbiaSIPA prof. Lawrence Rosenblatt has resigned in protest of @Columbia’s continued sanctioning of Joseph Massad, who praised the Oct. 7 attacks, and his biased class on Zionism. Prof. Rosenblatt, we're sad to see you go, but we respect your conviction. Read the full… pic.twitter.com/9YK56pUXKs
— Columbia Jewish & Israeli Students
(@CUJewsIsraelis) December 16, 2024
Here is the professor’s resignation note:
President Armstrong, Dean Yarhi-Milo, Dean May, Professor Fuchs, Professor Holloway:
I hereby resign my position as a member of the Columbia University faculty, effective immediately. I do so in response to learning (and seeing listed on the Columbia class registry) that a course on Zionism and the State of Israel will be taught this coming semester by Joseph A. Massad, who has advocated for the destruction of the State of Israel and celebrated the October 7 attacks. This would be akin to having a White Nationalist teach about the U.S. Civil Rights movement and the struggle for Black equality, or having a climate denier teach about the impact of global warming, or a misogynist teach about Feminism. While Massad has a right to think what he thinks, and speak what he believes, Columbia has a responsibility to teach objectively and fairly. At best perhaps one could tolerate a class on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict co-taught from the many diverse Israeli and Palestinian perspectives, though not by someone who advocates for the eradication of a group of people. But that is not what is happening here.
Columbia has lost not only its moral compass, but its intellectual one. Over the past 15 months I stayed to teach because I believe the Institution was not aligned with the hateful and destructive values of some who teach and study here, and that by staying I would not be ceding the Academy to those who spew evil, but instead be a model for thoughtful, responsible and professional learning. However, the institution of Columbia, in officially sanctioning this class and this professor, has harmed the Academy it once was. As it is gone, I cannot remain. My hope is that Columbia will correct this travesty, and if so, I would be open to returning. Until then, and having ensured my responsibilities have been completed for the semester just ending, I hereby resign.
With sadness, anger, pride and conviction,
Lawrence “Muzzy” Rosenblatt
Adjunct Professor of International and Public Affairs
School of International and Public Affairs
Columbia University
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Comments
Unfortunately the school will probably consider this a bonus.
We can only hope that when the Trump 2.0 administration decides why Ivy League school it wants to make an example of (e.g., cutting off all federal research funding (100% discretionary); declaring them ineligible for any federal funding (including student loans)), Columbia will be the selected test defendant.
Imagine if DoEd simply cut off Columbia’s federal funds, cold turkey. Columbia could sue, but rotsa ruck getting an injunction requiring the payment of money. (Can you say “adequate remedy at law”? Very good.)
So Columbia would be stuck in litigation for years, and all its dirty laundry would come out, perhaps even establishing that its earlier nondiscrimination certifications were fraudulently made . . . which could trigger clawback claims and potentially even charges against the individual signatories. And all the while, it and its students will have to make do without federal funds.
Of course, Columbia could go to its alumni for a round of emergency fundraising / bridge financing. But the big donors are already closing their checkbooks.
The damage done to Columbia would be severe. But such would be a warning to other schools: if you don’t shape up and implement serious changes ASAP, you could be next. “If they can do it to Columbia, they can do it to you.”