Columbia Professor Under Fire for Comments on Hamas While Preparing to Teach Zionism Course

[Social Media]

 

Columbia University has come under scrutiny after Joseph Massad, a professor who described Hamas’ October 7 attacks on Israel as "awesome," is slated to teach a course on Zionism. The course, according to the university's description, will examine the "History of the Jewish Enlightenment (Haskala) in 19th century Europe" and trace the development of Zionism up to the present peace process involving Israel, Arab states, and the Palestinian national movement.  

 

Massad’s controversial remarks appeared in a column for The Electronic Intifada, posted the day after Hamas’ attack, which resulted in widespread casualties and international condemnation. In the article, Massad described the actions of Palestinian fighters as “astounding,” stating, “The sight of the Palestinian resistance fighters storming Israeli checkpoints separating Gaza from Israel was astounding, not only to the Israelis but especially to the Palestinian and Arab peoples who came out across the region to march in support of the Palestinians in their battle against their cruel colonizers.”  

He further elaborated, saying, “No less awesome were the scenes witnessed by millions of jubilant Arabs who spent the day watching the news, of Palestinian fighters from Gaza breaking through Israel’s prison fence or gliding over it by air.” These comments, which appeared to praise the events, have sparked backlash from critics who accuse Massad of glorifying violence.  

 

Representative Ritchie Torres, a Democrat from New York and a vocal supporter of Israel in Congress, condemned Columbia University for allowing Massad to continue teaching. Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, Torres stated, “Why should U.S. taxpayers subsidize ideological indoctrination that glorifies the mass murder, maiming, mutilation, rape, and abduction of Jews and Israelis?”  

 

 

Massad’s column and his upcoming course on Zionism have reignited debates surrounding academic freedom, the boundaries of political discourse, and the role of universities in addressing controversial viewpoints. Critics argue that Massad’s statements are inflammatory and inappropriate for someone teaching a subject as sensitive and contentious as Zionism, while defenders may view his writings as an expression of academic freedom and a critical perspective on ongoing conflicts in the Middle East.  

 

Columbia University has not issued a public statement on the controversy, leaving questions about how the institution will navigate the backlash and whether it will address concerns raised by critics, including lawmakers and members of the public.

 

Columbia international and public affairs adjunct professor Lawrence Rosenblatt reportedly has resigned because of the class.

 

Based on a report by Yahoo 2024-12-19

 

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King’s College London Faces Backlash Over Handling of Hamas Propaganda Complaint

 

 

 

[Donga]

Simply disgusting and heads should roll 😡

Until Moslems and the left wing luvvies recognise that the extreme factions of Islam are holding back Peace and improved livelihoods in the Middle East, they'll continue to kill each other, as well as Jews, Christians, amongst others.

Look at Indonesia, with the most populated Moslem society for guidance. Pancasila establishes their philosophic basis of five principles and for religions to co-exist in harmony. Not Jihadism as the extremists live by and the moderates and luvvies turn a blind eye to.

[Oliver Holzerfilled]

Take one from their playbook - protests that disrupt every class he tries to teach.

[Thingamabob]

On 7 October 2023 Palestinians/Hamas brutally murdered over 1,700 Israeli civilians. Men, women, children and infants. Utterly disgusting comments from Massad. He should be severely punished, but more likely he will get away without any form of retribution.

[billd766]

2 minutes ago, Thingamabob said:

On 7 October 2023 Palestinians/Hamas brutally murdered over 1,700 Israeli civilians. Men, women, children and infants. Utterly disgusting comments from Massad. He should be severely punished, but more likely he will get away without any form of retribution.

And how many innocent Palestinian men, women, children and babies have been killed and injured by Israel and the IDF since 1948 in Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon and Syria et al?

 

Are the Palestinians just supposed to accept that without resisting or fighting back?

[Purdey]

Apparently, Massad is Palestinian. He made his comments on some unknown niche website. Now the media has blown it up into national news. The radicals should be ignored not highlighted.

[Donga]

15 minutes ago, Purdey said:

Apparently, Massad is Palestinian. He made his comments on some unknown niche website. Now the media has blown it up into national news. The radicals should be ignored not highlighted.

Yes, but he his hardly a fit person to be an objective Professor teaching on Zionism. His comments are evidence of that.

This biased scourge permeates our Arts faculties in the Anglosphere and needs to be recognised and addressed.

[Thingamabob]

26 minutes ago, billd766 said:

And how many innocent Palestinian men, women, children and babies have been killed and injured by Israel and the IDF since 1948 in Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon and Syria et al?

 

Are the Palestinians just supposed to accept that without resisting or fighting back?

Yes, including a cessation of the daily dispatch of missiles into Israel.

[Purdey]

5 minutes ago, Donga said:

Yes, but he his hardly a fit person to be an objective Professor teaching on Zionism. His comments are evidence of that.

This biased scourge permeates our Arts faculties in the Anglosphere and needs to be recognised and addressed.

If he isn't appropriate enough to teach Zionism, I feel Columbia will take the appropriate action and the students will ignore the course. 

[Eloquent pilgrim]

1 hour ago, billd766 said:

And how many innocent Palestinian men, women, children and babies have been killed and injured by Israel and the IDF since 1948 in Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon and Syria et al?

 

Are the Palestinians just supposed to accept that without resisting or fighting back?

 

Says a well documented Hamas supporter

 

 

[Bkk Brian]

11 hours ago, Social Media said:

Columbia international and public affairs adjunct professor Lawrence Rosenblatt reportedly has resigned because of the class.

No wonder he's resigned and I bet there will be more. Allowing a terrorist supporter to teach any course in a Uni is disgusting let alone one who so obviously celebrated massacres and rapes of innocent Israeli's.

[billd766]

2 hours ago, Eloquent pilgrim said:

 

Says a well documented Hamas supporter

 

 

BS

 

Please show me where I support Hamas?

 

I support the Palestinian people. NOT Hamas.

[Social Media]

An off topic troll post with unsubstaniated claims has been removed @billd766

[Eloquent pilgrim]

4 hours ago, billd766 said:

And how many innocent Palestinian men, women, children and babies have been killed and injured by Israel and the IDF since 1948 in Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon and Syria et al?

 

Are the Palestinians just supposed to accept that without resisting or fighting back?

 

This is classic antisemitism; you said this in reply to a comment about the atrocities committed on  7th October 2023; you made no acknowledgement whatsoever of the most cruel, inhumane, and barbaric act of terrorism in modern history. Instead, you launched a diatribe against Israel for vague and unsubstantiated incidents dating back to 1948; this, to somehow justify the vile and appalling acts of Palestinian citizens, alongside Hamas terrorists, by claiming they were fighting back and within their right to do so.

 

Your antisemitism is plain for all to see, although like a few others on here, you think you can get away with it by making puerile claims that you simply support Palestinians.

 

Who do you think carried out the 7th October atrocities if it wasn’t Palestinians ?

 

I see you for exactly what you are, your veneer of not being antisemitic is embarrassingly transparent.

 

 

[Patong2021]

5 hours ago, billd766 said:

And how many innocent Palestinian men, women, children and babies have been killed and injured by Israel and the IDF since 1948 in Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon and Syria et al?

 

Are the Palestinians just supposed to accept that without resisting or fighting back?

 

Gaza was left to its own independent way, Israel was not occupying and there was a truce agreement in place despite the daily missile and rocket attacks from Gaza. Gaza had access to the Arab world via Egypt. It was receiving generous aid shipments via the Israeli border crossing.

 

If they wish to declare a war or a resistance (sic) operation, then they should do so. However, when Israel responds accordingly, they should not  play the victim, since they declared a hostile action.

 

Your mention of Lebanon and Syria reveals a double standard. 14 million refugees, 500,000+ dead were created by Assad, Iran, Russia and Hezbollah, not Israel. Hezbollah is an occupying state within Lebanon and it was Iran and Syria who started the Lebanon civil war.

 

Israel's error was in trying to make peace with the Palestinians. Until they are humiliated in defeat as were the Egyptians and Jordanians, the Palestinians will not make peace.