Heads of Harvard Mideast studies center to resign under Trump pressure

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
31 Mar 2025 12:24
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The Harvard chapter of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) condemned the moves, calling them "abrupt terminations".

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A student holds up the flag of Palestine during a graduation ceremony in Harvard Yard at Harvard University, on Thursday, May 23, 2024, in Cambridge, Massachusetts (AP)

The leadership of Harvard University’s Center for Middle Eastern Studies (CMES) is undergoing significant changes as its director and associate director step down following accusations of bias against the Israeli occupation.

The departures come amid increased scrutiny from the Trump administration over university campuses that have witnessed pro-Palestinian protests in the past year amid the unfolding genocide in Gaza.

On Wednesday, Harvard’s interim dean of social science, David Cutler, announced in an email to center affiliates that Cemal Kafadar, a professor of Turkish studies and the CMES director, would be stepping down by the end of the academic year. Rosie Bsheer, a professor of history and the associate director, is also stepping down. However, both are expected to retain their faculty positions.

Faculty members who spoke to The New York Times anonymously claimed that Kafadar and Bsheer were forced out of their roles, especially amid crackdowns from the Trump administration on higher education institutions.

'Shameful attempt'

The Harvard chapter of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) condemned the moves, calling them "abrupt terminations".

In a statement, the AAUP committee said, "In the context of recent events, the decision appears to be a shameful attempt to escape punishment from the Trump administration for engaging in academic discussions about topics the president disfavor."

"These firings cede the university’s decision-making authority to bullies and bad-faith actors committed to silencing speech with which they disagree."

The CMES has faced mounting criticism for alleged anti-Israeli bias, particularly after hosting a panel in February titled "Israel’s War in Lebanon."

Harvard’s leadership changes come as part of a broader shift at elite universities facing pressure from the Trump administration over "antisemitism" concerns. Columbia University recently agreed to review its Middle Eastern, South Asian, and African Studies department after Trump withdrew $400 million in federal funding.

Columbia complies with Trump pressures

Columbia University has agreed to several conditions set by the Trump administration after the federal government suspended approximately $400 million in grants and contracts over allegations of antisemitism, according to a university memo released on Friday.

The funding was initially withheld due to what the administration described as Columbia’s failure to address the "persistent harassment of Jewish students." In response, the university has taken steps to meet the administration's demands, including increasing campus security, introducing new protest regulations, and appointing a senior official to oversee departments related to Middle Eastern studies.

The measures include hiring three dozen new campus police officers with arrest powers and requiring individuals wearing face coverings during protests to provide university identification when requested. Additionally, Columbia has appointed a new senior vice provost with authority over the Department of Middle East, South Asian, and African Studies, as well as the Center for Palestine Studies.

The crackdown on Columbia is part of a larger effort by the Trump administration to exert control over higher education institutions.

Crackdown on higher education

Earlier in March, federal funding to the University of Pennsylvania was paused over its transgender athlete policy, while dozens of universities, including Harvard and Yale, have been warned of potential funding cuts if they fail to address allegations of antisemitic harassment.

The administration has also launched investigations into 45 colleges over alleged “race-exclusionary practices” as part of a broader campaign against diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. President Trump has also announced plans to shut down the Department of Education entirely.

Columbia’s compliance with these demands underscores the growing pressure on universities to navigate federal scrutiny while balancing campus activism and academic freedom.

For generations, the federal government has allowed colleges to manage their affairs within legal constraints, with the Supreme Court recognizing academic freedom as part of the First Amendment. Higher education leaders argue that this autonomy sets American universities apart and attracts top international scholars.