|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Edited by: Fern Sidman
In a move that has sparked intense debate, Columbia University adjunct professor Lawrence Rosenblatt announced his resignation on Monday, citing his objections to Prof. Joseph Massad teaching an undergraduate course on Zionism. Rosenblatt’s resignation follows a report by The Jerusalem Post, which highlighted Massad’s previous comments celebrating the October 7 Hamas attacks.
According to The Jerusalem Post, Rosenblatt submitted his resignation in a formal letter to Columbia’s administration, in which he criticized the decision to allow Massad to teach the course, titled “History of the Jewish Enlightenment in 19th Century Europe and the Development of Zionism.” Rosenblatt stated: “I hereby resign my position as a member of the Columbia University faculty, effective immediately.” He further accused Massad of advocating for the “destruction of the State of Israel” and of celebrating violence in the aftermath of October 7.
Rosenblatt drew stark comparisons to emphasize his objection, as reported by The Jerusalem Post: “Having Massad teach a course on Zionism is akin to having a White nationalist teach about the US Civil Rights movement and the struggle for Black equality, having a climate denier teach about the impact of global warming, or a misogynist teach about feminism.”
Rosenblatt clarified that while he believes Massad is entitled to his views and freedom of expression, Columbia University, as an academic institution, has a responsibility to provide objective and balanced instruction. According to The Jerusalem Post, Rosenblatt stated: “While Massad has a right to think what he thinks and speak what he believes, Columbia has a responsibility to teach objectively and fairly.”
The controversy stems from Massad’s October 8 article in Electronic Intifada, in which he described the Hamas attacks of October 7 as “astounding” and framed the operation as retaliatory resistance. As reported by The Jerusalem Post, Massad’s article claimed: “The major achievement of the resistance in the temporary takeover of these settler-colonies is the death blow to any confidence that Israeli colonists had in their military and its ability to protect them.”
Massad further stated that the attacks might signal a “permanent exodus” for some Israeli settlers, suggesting they may “finally realize that living on land stolen from another people will never make them safe.” According to The Jerusalem Post, such rhetoric has drawn widespread criticism, with many accusing Massad of glorifying violence and advocating for the dismantling of Israel.
Rosenblatt referenced these views directly in his resignation letter, arguing that allowing someone who has publicly celebrated attacks on civilians to teach a course on Zionism undermines academic integrity. He asserted that at the very least, discussions on complex topics like the Israeli-Palestinian conflict should reflect diverse perspectives. As quoted by The Jerusalem Post, Rosenblatt remarked: “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.”
The course in question, History of the Jewish Enlightenment in 19th Century Europe and the Development of Zionism, is described as offering a “historical overview of the Zionist-Palestinian conflict” and the “current peace process between the State of Israel and the Arab states and the Palestinian national movement.” However, The Jerusalem Post noted that given Massad’s previously expressed views, critics have raised concerns about whether the course will present the subject matter impartially.
