Governor Kathy Hochul has instructed Hunter College, a part of the City University of New York (CUNY), to remove a job posting for a Palestinian Studies professorship, sparking discussions on academic freedom and the limits of acceptable discourse in educational institutions. A statement issued by Hochul's office emphasized the need to ensure that "antisemitic theories are not promoted in the classroom," according to The New York Post. This action was taken in response to concerns about the language used in the job listing, which has faced criticism from Jewish watchdog groups and led to accusations of promoting antisemitism.
The contentious job listing sought a scholar with a "critical lens to issues pertaining to Palestine" including themes such as "settler-colonialism, genocide, human rights, apartheid, migration, climate and infrastructure devastation, health, race, gender, and sexuality," reported NBC New York.
The intervention from Gov. Hochul has faced criticism from free speech and academic freedom advocates. Robert Shibley, special counsel for campus advocacy at the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, denounced the governor's action as a harmful precedent for the politicization of hiring decisions in public universities. "She’s setting a terrible precedent," Shibley said, concerned about the implications for academic freedom moving forward, as per NBC New York. PEN America's Campus Free Speech program director, Kristen Shahverdian, also weighed in, stating, "The posting may have been offensive to some, but it is the right and responsibility of the academic community to confront challenging areas of inquiry through independent research, teaching, and publishing."
Despite the removal, Hunter College has indicated their intention to pursue the hiring of an expert in the field. In a statement to NBC New York, the college affirmed, "Hunter College took down the job listings following the concerns raised about the language used in the online posting. We will be reviewing the posting process and look forward to adding scholars with expertise in this subject matter to our distinguished faculty." The focus is on Palestinian history, culture, and society—areas that remain deeply contentious and politically sensitive in current geopolitical discussions.
The broader context of these events is shaped by the Israel-Hamas war, which began on October 7, 2023. Although the conflict is currently paused under a ceasefire, it has led to an increase in campus activism and raised questions about the boundaries of free speech at U.S. colleges. Following the outbreak of the war, protests calling for divestment from Israel became widespread, accompanied by counter-protests from Jewish students who expressed concerns about being targeted.
