Columbia University announced over the weekend the termination of Professor Katherine Franke, a senior law professor and director of the Center for Gender and Sexuality, following an internal investigation.
The inquiry found that Franke violated the university’s policies by making discriminatory statements about Israeli and Jewish students. Franke’s dismissal comes after more than two decades of serving in prominent roles at the university.
Accusations of Incitement Against Israeli Students: “A Threat After Military Service”
The decision to terminate Professor Franke follows controversial remarks she made in a televised interview about an incident on campus in January 2024. During heated protests calling for Columbia to divest from Israel, an Israeli student allegedly spilled a foul-smelling liquid on pro-Palestinian demonstrators. The student was suspended but later won a $395,000 settlement after suing the university for what was deemed an “excessive response.”
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In the interview, Franke described Israeli students arriving on campus after their military service as a “threat to others’ safety,” claiming, “The transition from soldier to student is difficult.” She further alleged that “it is well-known that they harass Palestinians and other students on our campus.” Franke called on the university to take stricter measures to ensure the safety of students.
Backlash from Faculty and Students
Franke’s comments sparked outrage among faculty members and students. Formal complaints accused her of making harmful generalizations about all Israeli students and of exceeding the bounds of free speech. The investigation also revealed that Franke shared inflammatory social media posts about one of her complainants, labeling him a “genocidal murderer.”
Reason for Dismissal: “Violation of Equality Policies”
An external investigation conducted by an independent law firm concluded that Franke’s actions and statements breached the university’s equality policies. Based on the findings, Columbia’s administration decided to terminate her employment.
Franke Denounces Decision as Political Retaliation
In response, Franke claimed her dismissal was politically motivated and disguised as a “forced retirement” due to her support for Palestinian rights. She stated, “The administration allowed manipulative use of disciplinary complaints to curtail my actions.”
As debates over academic freedom and free speech continue to intensify on American campuses, Columbia’s decision underscores the challenges of navigating these issues in a polarized environment.