Four CUNY professors fired over pro-Palestine advocacy: The Intercept
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Four Brooklyn College professors were abruptly dismissed without explanation in what they and supporters say is political retaliation for their pro-Palestine advocacy.
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A demonstrator waves the flag of Palestine as police officers guard outside the Federal Building during a protest against "Israel" and in support of Palestinians, Saturday, May 15, 2021, in the Westwood section of Los Angeles (AP)
Four adjunct professors at Brooklyn College, part of the City University of New York (CUNY), were abruptly dismissed, a move they and fellow faculty say is retaliation for their outspoken support of Palestinian rights, The Intercept reported.
Despite strong student reviews, departmental backing, and scheduled fall classes, some with waitlists, the university terminated one professor and declined to reappoint the others without offering any explanation.
Common factor? Pro-Palestine advocacy
The professors, who share no common factor other than their pro-Palestine advocacy, have filed grievances and accused CUNY of political repression.
"The decision made by our departments was to hire us. The decision made by the Administration was to fire us," said one of the professors, who requested anonymity due to fears of harassment. "It's just sending a message that no one's job is safe," she added.
The Professional Staff Congress (PSC), CUNY's faculty union, condemned the dismissals as a violation of due process and academic freedom. PSC President James Davis called the firings "highly irregular" and noted that no performance or misconduct issues were cited.
Over 100 Jewish CUNY faculty also denounced the move, warning it sets a dangerous precedent and undermines academic autonomy.
Silenced resistance
The firings coincided with a congressional hearing on alleged campus antisemitism, where CUNY's chancellor faced hostile questioning.
Right-wing figures like Rep. Elise Stefanik and Councilmember Inna Vernikov, who was arrested in 2023 for bringing a gun to a pro-Palestine protest, accused CUNY of harboring anti-"Israel" sentiment. Pro-Palestine protesters disrupted the hearing, condemning the silencing of dissent.
Read more: Professors being fired from jobs for pro-Palestine speech, solidarity
Faculty and Staff for Justice in Palestine at CUNY, Georgetown, and UC Berkeley issued a joint statement rejecting the use of antisemitism allegations to suppress Palestinian advocacy.
"They must oppose the weaponizing of antisemitism through the equation of Jewish safety with the silencing... of those who speak up for Palestinian freedom," the letter stated.
Despite personal and financial hardship, the dismissed professors say they will continue to speak out. "This repression is repressive," said one, "but I feel strongly that I can’t let it stop me."
"The situation in Gaza is so extreme, we have to continue to fight — and I think it’s shameful for anyone to be fired for opposing a genocide … History will not treat this period kindly," they added.
