A Call to Action: The Fight Against Antisemitism at CUNY
Governor Kathy Hochul’s swift decision to shut down a controversial job listing at the City University of New York (CUNY) was a necessary step in addressing the growing antisemitism within the institution. The listing sought a “Palestinian Studies” instructor to teach courses rooted in antisemitic narratives, including claims that Israel is an “apartheid” and “settler colonial” state committing “genocide.” While Hochul’s intervention was commendable, it only scratches the surface of a deeply entrenched problem within CUNY, which has increasingly become a hotbed of antisemitic ideology. As a CUNY professor and a member of the Jewish community, I am relieved by the governor’s action but deeply concerned about the university’s continued descent into hate-driven indoctrination.
CUNY’s Downward Spiral: From Education to Indoctrination
CUNY, once a beacon of higher learning and intellectual freedom, has sadly devolved into a platform for antisemitic propaganda. The recent job listing was merely the latest example of a broader trend. The description sought a scholar willing to peddle classic antisemitic tropes, reinforcing the narrative that Israel is inherently oppressive and responsible for “genocide.” This is not education; it is indoctrination. The fact that such a posting was even considered reflects a systemic failure within the university’s leadership.
The situation is even more alarming given CUNY’s history of antisemitic controversies. Despite widespread criticism, Hunter College initially defended the job listing, and Chancellor Felix Matos Rodriguez remained silent until Hochul stepped in. His delayed response—agreeing with the governor’s decision only after public pressure—raises serious questions about his commitment to combating antisemitism. How could such a hateful curriculum be approved in the first place? The answer lies in the university’s leadership, which has consistently enabled and even promoted antisemitic ideologies.
Leadership Failure: Enabling Hate at the Highest Levels
The approval of this curriculum and job listing did not happen in a vacuum. As someone who has served on curriculum committees for over 16 years, I know that no course or hiring decision is made without the explicit approval of the university administration and the Board of Trustees. The fact that Chancellor Matos Rodriguez and the Board of Trustees allowed this to move forward is a damning indictment of their leadership. Their recent statements denouncing the posting as “divisive” and “polarizing” ring hollow when they knowingly approved the curriculum months ago.
Furthermore, the hiring of Saly Abd Alla as Chief Diversity Officer is a clear indication of the university’s drift toward antisemitism. Abd Alla, a former director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), has openly supported the Boycott, Divest, Sanctions (BDS) movement, which sought to delegitimize and economically harm Israel. That the chancellor praised her work as “consistent with our university’s commitment to inclusion and respect” speaks volumes about the administration’s priorities. By hiring individuals like Abd Alla and approving antisemitic curricula, CUNY’s leadership has sent a clear message: antisemitism is tolerated, even encouraged, within its walls.
A Legacy of Complicity: The Need for Accountability
This is not the first time CUNY has faced criticism for antisemitism. Two years ago, I warned in these very pages that the university’s leadership was actively promoting antisemitism by replacing Jewish faculty with antisemitic ideologues. The recent events have proven this warning prophetic. The systemic erasure of Jewish voices from leadership positions and the hiring of anti-Israel activists have created an environment where antisemitism thrives.
Governor Hochul’s intervention was necessary, but it is insufficient to address the systemic rot within CUNY. The governor must take further action, starting with the removal of Chancellor Matos Rodriguez, Board of Trustees Chairperson William Thompson, and Saly Abd Alla. Their continued presence ensures that antisemitism will remain embedded in the university’s culture. Anything less than their removal is a capitulation to hate.
Beyond CUNY: The Broader Implications of Academic Antisemitism
The situation at CUNY is not an isolated incident but a symptom of a larger problem within academia. Across the United States, universities are increasingly becoming platforms for antisemitic ideologies masquerading as scholarship. The BDS movement, antisemitic course offerings, and the exclusion of Jewish voices from academic discourse are all part of a dangerous trend that threatens the very principles of higher education.
CUNY’s case serves as a wake-up call for all Americans who value intellectual freedom, inclusivity, and the fight against hate. It is time for policymakers, alumni, and the broader public to demand accountability from universities that tolerate or promote antisemitism. Unless drastic action is taken, institutions like CUNY will continue toindoctrinate students with hatred, undermining the values of tolerance and inclusion they once championed.
