New York Governor Orders Removal of Palestinian Studies Job, Sparking Free Speech Debate

Mar 2

Executive Summary

New York Governor Kathy Hochul directed the City University of New York (CUNY) to remove a job posting for a Palestinian Studies professorship at Hunter College, citing concerns that it could promote “antisemitic theories.” The decision has sparked backlash from academic and free speech advocates who view it as political interference in higher education. While CUNY officials defended the removal, critics argue that the move is part of a broader crackdown on pro-Palestinian discourse in U.S. universities, raising concerns about the suppression of academic freedom.

Analysis

The job listing at Hunter College sought a historian specializing in Palestine, with a focus on topics such as settler colonialism, genocide, human rights, and apartheid. Following media coverage, Governor Hochul ordered its removal, prompting CUNY’s Board of Trustees to comply and conduct a review to prevent the promotion of what she called “antisemitic theories.”

Critics, including faculty unions and free speech organizations, condemned the move as a violation of academic independence. The Professional Staff Congress at CUNY denounced it as an overreach of political authority, while FIRE warned of the dangerous precedent it sets for government interference in university hiring decisions.

The controversy comes amid heightened tensions over pro-Palestinian activism on U.S. campuses, with universities facing pressure from both pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian groups. Hochul has previously commissioned a report on antisemitism at CUNY, pushing for stronger measures to combat anti-Jewish sentiment in higher education. While officials insist the removal does not constitute censorship, critics argue it reflects growing efforts to suppress Palestinian perspectives in academia.