CUNY's Hunter College promotes 'Palestine' course targeting Jews over 'genocide,' activists fume
Share and Follow

Hunter College, a publicly-funded institution, is under scrutiny for offering a course that has been labeled by Jewish watchdog groups as promoting hate towards Israel based on accusations of “settler colonialism, genocide,” “apartheid,” and “infrastructure devastation.”

The Upper East Side CUNY school recently laid out the disturbing course in a job posting for a professorship of “Palestinian Studies.”

The course posting is looking for a scholar with a focus on the history of Palestine, particularly on topics such as settler colonialism, genocide, human rights, apartheid, migration, climate and infrastructure devastation, health, race, gender, and sexuality.

“We are open to diverse theoretical and methodological approaches,” the seemingly increasingly radicalized top CUNY college tells applicants.

Critics say the posting comes right out of the anti-Israel playbook that accuses Jews of all these atrocities.

A former trustee of the City University of New York has criticized the course posting, stating that it perpetuates antisemitism by vilifying Israel, drawing parallels to how the Nazis propagated hatred towards the Jewish community.

“What the hell are the trustees at CUNY doing allowing a course like this to be accredited?” fumed Jeffrey Wiesenfeld, who served as a trustee for 15 years.

“To make a Palestinian Studies’ course — completely about alleged Jewish crimes — is akin to courses offered in the Nazi era which ascribed all the world’s crimes to the Jews. This course takes antisemitism to another level at CUNY.

“What if we had a course that said all terrorists are Muslim,” Wiesenfeld asked. “Would that be OK?”

The state is the principal funding source of funding for CUNY’s four-year schools such as Hunter, and the city chips in to help pay for its community colleges.

Hochul’s executive budget plan recommends $2.25 billion in operating funds for CUNY’s 25 schools in the upcoming fiscal year and $1.8 billion in capital construction and maintenance funds over five years.

An overwhelming majority of CUNY students also receive hundreds of millions of dollars in state taxpayer aid to cover or defray tuition costs. The state estimates that two-thirds of CUNY students enrolled at its four-year college attend tuition-free.

Liora Rez, founder of the group StopAntisemitism, said CUNY has been on its radar in recent years for condoning hatred against Jews under Chancellor Felix Matos-Rodriguez. She previously called on the chancellor to resign or be replaced.

But the job posting is beyond the pale, she said.

“This vile, antisemitic propaganda masquerading as a job posting should outrage every New Yorker. It lays bare a chilling reality: at CUNY, antisemitism isn’t just tolerated — it’s institutionalized, taxpayer-funded, and now, apparently, a hiring prerequisite,” Rez said in a statement.

“Chancellor Matos Rodríguez has so thoroughly stacked CUNY with anti-Israel, anti-Western, and antisemitic faculty that it would be laughable — if it weren’t so dangerous — that they need yet another propagandist to twist facts and slander the Jewish state.”

She called on CUNY to immediately shut down its search for the Palestinian Studies professor at the Manhattan school.

StopAntisemitism again called for Matos Rodriguez’s resignation — or for Gov. Kathy Hochul to remove him.

“Under his failed leadership, CUNY has become an academic embarrassment and a breeding ground for extremism,” she said.

Hunter College defended the job posting.

“Hunter College has zero tolerance for hate of any kind. Our current and future faculty are expected to be well-versed in all scholarship so they can dissect and debunk theories, not promote them,” the college said in a statement.

CUNY leadership — which oversees Hunter College — did not respond to a Post request for comment.

CUNY campuses have been infested with Israel bashing and antisemitism that spiked after Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, invasion of Israel and the resulting war in Gaza, critics claim.

An independent probe commissioned by Gov. Kathy Hochul and released in September found that CUNY needs a top-to-bottom overhaul to combat “alarming’’ antisemitism fanned by its own faculty and do-nothing higher-ups.

In 2022, professors at CUNY’s Law School faculty also passed a resolution in support of the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement, and in 2023, one of its student commencement speakers spewed a hate-filled diatribe against Israel and the US.

Students, joined by some professors, disrupted and even vandalized some CUNY campuses with anti-Israel protests over the past year.

CUNY’s faculty union — the Professional Staff Congress — approved a resolution in January to divest assets from Israel over the war in Gaza. After a firestorm of criticism, union members repealed the resolution in a revote last week.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Butcher behind 'some of the most brutal crimes in human history'

Infamous Butcher Linked to History’s Grisliest Crimes Uncovered

In the public eye, he was the picture of composure and assurance,…
Where Todd Bowles stands with Buccaneers as season spirals

Evaluating Todd Bowles’ Position Amidst Buccaneers’ Challenging Season

Despite the Tampa Bay Buccaneers struggling with a below .500 record, head…
Bikini-clad Heidi Klum, 52, dries off with a kooky toyboy towel

Heidi Klum, 52, Makes a Splash with Unique Towel Choice in Stunning Bikini Snapshot

Heidi Klum was spotted on the sun-kissed beaches of St. Barths, drying…
Bob Ross' curls were actually a perm - see him before the iconic style

Discover Bob Ross’ Surprising Hair Secret: See His Transformation Before the Iconic Perm!

Bob Ross, the beloved painter known for his soothing voice and happy…
UK flag clash as foreign banners fly, citizens push back against woke policies reshaping Britain

Controversy Over Foreign Flags in the UK Sparks Debate on National Identity and Policy Changes

LONDON: The United Kingdom finds itself embroiled in a contentious debate over…
Aryna Sabalenka vs Nick Kyrgios - Battle of the Sexes LIVE

Epic Showdown: Aryna Sabalenka Faces Nick Kyrgios in Thrilling Battle of the Sexes Live Event

Pause for a dance break – and a signed tennis ball? (Sabalenka…
FBI agents detail Kash Patel's 'diva' behavior over screen time

FBI Agents Reveal Kash Patel’s Demands for Screen Time: Inside the Diva Drama

FBI agents have recently unveiled concerns regarding Director Kash Patel, alleging that…
Officer pulls missing boy from freezing pond and reunites him with dad

Officer Rescues Missing Boy from Icy Pond, Reunites Him with Father

In a remarkable rescue that unfolded on Christmas night, a police officer…