Inflammatory advertisement for professor of Palestinian Studies blasted by NY governor

City University of New York (CUNY) has been sharply criticized by New York Governor, Kathy Hochul, over the wording in a job listing for a Palestinian Studies professor. 

Hochul demanded that the advertisement must be removed, citing the use of “divisive” language which promotes antisemitic theories.

The advert inviting candidates to apply for the Palestinian Studies professorship on the Hunter College website employed loaded terminology such as “settler colonialism,” “genocide," “apartheid,” and “climate and infrastructure devastation," igniting considerable anger and concern. 

The university is already deeply embroiled in controversy over its failure to respond appropriately to antisemitism on the campus, particularly following Oct. 7 and Israel’s subsequent war with Hamas.

According to Ynet, an investigation commissioned by Hochul found a "disturbing" rise in antisemitic incidents on the campus, including harassment of Jewish students, glorification of Hamas, and a lack of administrative intervention, according to YNet News. 

With terminology routinely used to condemn Israel, Jewish watchdog groups and former CUNY officials described the advertisement as “a taxpayer-funded endorsement of anti-Israel rhetoric.”

Given the growing criticism of the university’s failure to respond to antisemitic anti-Israel activism, Jewish organizations, and pro-Israel groups issued a collective statement demanding that CUNY should not only remove the advert but also fundamentally review the role in question, which they regarded as abuse of an academic position as a platform for anti-Israel advocacy.

The events have occurred amid a nationwide drive to combat anti-Jewish bias on campuses following Trump’s executive order on Jan. 30, carrying the threat of withdrawal of funding. On the state level, Hochul’s executive budget currently includes $2.25 billion in operational funding for the universities, along with $1.8 billion for capital improvements, but now there is a question mark over the allocation of taxpayer dollars for CUNY with critics accusing the institution of "state-sponsored antisemitism." 

"I have directed CUNY to remove the job listing and to ensure that no antisemitic theories are promoted in the classroom," Hochul stated.

The governor’s office issued the following statement: “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."

Hunter College also issued a statement saying that CUNY "has zero tolerance for hate of any kind" and that its faculty are expected to engage in academic debate rather than promote an ideology.

CUNY has complied with the governor’s demands and the listing has been taken down.

A spokesperson said, "We unequivocally agree with the governor’s decision," agreeing that the wording chosen was "divisive, polarizing, and inappropriate."