Controversy Surrounds Cornell U Prof’s Return After Comments on Hamas Oct 7th Attack

Edited by: Fern Sidman

Professor Russell Rickford, a Cornell University history professor who faced national outrage after praising the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel as “exhilarating” and “energizing,” has returned to teaching at the prestigious Ivy League school without facing formal disciplinary action. According to a report in the New York Post, Rickford, who was recorded at an off-campus rally cheering the invasion that resulted in the deaths of 1,200 Israelis, spent the last year on a voluntary leave of absence following the public outcry. Despite his inflammatory remarks, Cornell University has confirmed that Rickford’s return is in line with the protection of his free speech rights, even as his comments continue to draw widespread condemnation.

On October 7, 2023, Hamas, the Iranian-backed terror group that governs the Gaza Strip, launched a coordinated assault on Israel, brutally murdering 1,200 civilians in one of the deadliest terrorist attacks in the region’s recent history. The attack was met with international condemnation, but at an anti-Israel rally shortly afterward, Professor Rickford expressed support for the violence, stating that he found the invasion “exhilarating” and “energizing.” His remarks, recorded and widely circulated online, drew swift outrage from Jewish organizations, students, and public figures who condemned his apparent glorification of violence.

Rickford eventually issued an apology, acknowledging the harm his words caused, particularly to the families of the victims and the broader Cornell community. As was reported by The Post, he stated that his intent had been to express solidarity with Palestinian suffering, but his remarks were seen by many as a grotesque celebration of mass murder. Despite his apology, the damage to his reputation was significant, and he took a voluntary leave of absence shortly thereafter.

Cornell University, like many academic institutions, finds itself balancing the protection of free speech with the moral and ethical obligations of its educators. Following Rickford’s remarks, the university administration condemned his comments as “reprehensible” and accused him of showing a “complete disregard for humanity.” However, The Post reported that Cornell did not pursue disciplinary action, citing his right to free speech as a private citizen.

Joel Malina, Cornell’s Vice President of University Relations, explained the university’s stance in a statement, emphasizing that Rickford’s comments were made during his personal time and did not meet the high threshold required for disciplinary action, as per the information provide in The Post report. “Given that Professor Rickford’s comments were made as a private citizen in his free time, the university’s academic leadership has concluded that Professor Rickford’s conduct in relation to this incident did not meet that high bar,” Malina stated.

The controversy has raised significant questions about where universities draw the line between free speech and accountability. Cornell has a long-standing commitment to academic freedom, and it appears the institution chose to err on the side of protecting that principle, even in the face of intense public pressure.

As of the current semester, Rickford is back at Cornell, teaching at least two courses: African Americans’ Vision of America and Socialism in America, as well as a seminar. His return has sparked fresh outrage, particularly among Jewish students and alumni, who see his reinstatement as a tacit endorsement of his previous comments. The Post report revealed that critics argue that Rickford’s public statements, while protected by free speech, are incompatible with the ethical responsibilities of an educator who should foster a safe and respectful environment for all students, particularly in a diverse academic setting like Cornell.

The university has not disclosed whether Rickford was paid during his voluntary leave, nor has it elaborated on the details of his reintegration into the faculty. Indicated in The Post report was that some students and faculty members have expressed concern that his return to teaching could reignite tensions on campus, particularly given the ongoing debate over Israel and Palestine, which continues to be a highly divisive issue.

The university’s failure to discipline Rickford has drawn sharp criticism from students, faculty, and political leaders, many of whom argue that allowing him back into the classroom undermines Cornell’s ethical and moral responsibilities as an institution. The report in The Post also said that the outcry comes amid a broader wave of concern over rising anti-Semitism on college campuses, particularly in the wake of escalating violence in the Middle East.

Leading the charge against Rickford’s return are Jewish student groups, who feel his comments were not only offensive but pose a threat to the academic environment at Cornell. Amanda Silberstein, a junior at the university and vice president of both Chabad and Cornellians for Israel, expressed frustration and disbelief at the university’s decision. “It’s ridiculous,” Silberstein told The Post, emphasizing the broader implications of allowing Rickford’s actions to go unpunished. “Letting his actions go unpunished will allow other professors to follow suit without repercussions. It allows Rickford and other professors to indoctrinate students in the classroom,” she added.

For Silberstein and many others, the issue is not simply about Rickford’s personal views, but about the risk of professors using their platforms to influence and manipulate students. As per the information contained in The Post report, she argues that Cornell’s policies are “laughable at best” for failing to hold educators accountable when they cross ethical lines. The concern is that, by turning a blind eye to Rickford’s statements, Cornell has set a dangerous precedent that could erode the university’s academic integrity.

The outrage over Rickford’s reinstatement extends beyond the Cornell campus. Upstate Representative Claudia Tenney has taken an active role in voicing her opposition to Rickford’s continued employment at the university. In a strongly worded letter to Cornell’s interim President Michael Kotlikoff, Tenney expressed her disgust at the decision, describing Rickford’s comments as “horrific” and accusing him of inciting violence.

“I am deeply disgusted by Cornell’s decision to continue employing Mr. Rickford after his horrific statements that celebrated the murder of innocent people and incited violence,” Tenney wrote, as was reported by The Post. She emphasized that, regardless of one’s stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, it is inexcusable to frame the loss of innocent lives—including women, children, the elderly, and Holocaust survivors—as “energizing” or “exhilarating.”

Tenney’s letter calls attention to the broader concern that Rickford, in his role as an educator, holds significant influence over his students, and that this influence comes with a responsibility to maintain ethical standards. The Post report explained that she warned that Rickford’s vocal support for terrorism and anti-Semitic rhetoric has not only violated his role as a professor but has jeopardized the safety and well-being of Cornell’s Jewish community.

Rickford’s return to teaching comes at a time when anti-Semitism has become an increasingly pressing issue on college campuses, particularly in New York. In the wake of the Israel-Hamas conflict, Jewish students across the state have reported an alarming rise in anti-Semitic incidents, leading Governor Kathy Hochul to launch an independent review of the situation. The review, led by former Chief Judge Jonathan Lippman, aims to assess the prevalence of anti-Semitism in New York’s educational institutions and propose recommendations for addressing the issue, The Post report said. The results of the review are expected to be released within weeks, and the findings could have significant implications for how universities handle cases such as Rickford’s in the future.

Cornell, as a private university, receives substantial state funding—$127 million annually to support the four State University of New York (SUNY) schools it operates. This financial support adds another layer of complexity to the controversy, with some arguing that Cornell has a responsibility to uphold higher standards of conduct given its reliance on public funds.

Benjamin Malaken, president of the student-run Center for Jewish Life at Cornell, also voiced his concerns about Rickford’s return. “I don’t think someone who makes those comments should be educating students,” he told The Post. Malaken’s statement echoes the sentiments of many Jewish students and faculty members, who feel that Rickford’s continued presence in the classroom sends a troubling message about the university’s commitment to fostering an inclusive and respectful academic environment.

Cornell’s position has sparked a heated debate over the limits of free speech, particularly in academic settings where professors are entrusted with shaping the intellectual development of their students. While many defend Rickford’s right to express his views, others argue that professors must be held to a higher standard, particularly when their words glorify violence or incite hatred.