Jewish professor fired for free-Palestine views: new academic precedent

Jewish American professor Norman Finkelstein has been dismissed from Muhlenberg College in Allentown, Pennsylvania.

This is reportedly for remarks in support of Palestine that he made on social media.

The incident marks the first known firing of a tenured professor over anti-Zionist speech, which observers say ignites significant controversy and debate over academic freedom.

They also say it sets a worrying precedent amid increasing right-wing scrutiny of higher education.

Finkelstein is a longstanding advocate for Palestinian rights, as well as an instructor of a course on Palestine. 

He is the son of Holocaust survivors who has long criticized Israel and its treatment of Palestinians. 

Finklestein faced mounting pressure from external pro-Israel groups that generated thousands of emails urging his termination.

Despite earning tenure at the college in 2021 Finkelstein’s views led to his dismissal. 

In 2007, the New York Times reported that Finkelstein was awarded tenure by DePaul University’s political science department in Chicago. 

However, the University Board on Promotion and Tenure rejected his bid. 

Many speculated that the denial was due to his advocacy for Palestine. 

Finklestein’s case echoes the experience of Palestinian American scholar Steven Salaita, who was fired by the University of Illinois in 2014 after criticizing Israel.