Columbia University has come under fire following the departure of Katherine Franke, a law professor and prominent advocate for pro-Palestine students.
Franke announced that she had been effectively forced to retire after 25 years, citing an increasingly hostile environment at the university.
On Friday, the founder of Columbia’s Centre for Gender and Sexuality Law claimed she had “reached an agreement” with Columbia relieving her of teaching and governance responsibilities.
“While the university may call this change in my status ‘retirement’, it should be more accurately understood as a termination dressed up in more palatable terms,” she said in a statement.
The announcement came after the institution launched an investigation into comments Franke made during a January 2024 interview on Democracy Now!, where she addressed an incident involving pro-Palestinian students at Columbia.
During a campus rally, several protesters were hospitalised after being sprayed with a noxious substance, allegedly by a former Israeli soldier and student.
Franke slammed the university’s failure to address the behaviour of some students who had served in the Israeli army and had been reportedly harassing Palestinians on campus, which she said endangered the safety of students.
Her remarks drew immediate backlash. Two Columbia faculty members filed complaints, alleging her statements constituted harassment of Israeli students, which led to an investigation by the university’s equal opportunity and affirmative action (EOAA) office.
In November, the EOAA concluded that her comments violated university policies, claiming that she improperly disclosed the identity of one complainant on social media.
During an April congressional hearing, then-Columbia President Minouche Shafik misquoted Franke’s remarks, claiming that the professor said: “All Israeli students who served in the IDF are dangerous and shouldn’t be on campus.”
But Franke accused Shafik of knowingly allowing an inaccurate portrayal of her statements, further fuelling hostilities against her. Shafik later resigned, but the fallout continued.
The university has defended its actions, claiming it is committed to anti-discrimination policies.
“An investigation was conducted, and a finding was issued,” a spokesperson said. “Columbia is committed to addressing all forms of discrimination consistent with our policies.”
However, Franke said the row represents broader efforts to silence pro-Palestinian voices in academia, branding Columbia University “a hostile environment” that abandoned its mission to foster critical debate.
“Rather than defend the role of a university in a democracy, in fostering critical debate, research, and learning around matters of vital public concern, and in educating the next generation with the tools to become engaged citizens, Columbia University’s leadership has demonstrated a willingness to collaborate with the very enemies of our academic mission,” she said.
Supporters, including the UN special rapporteur on the Palestinian territories, labelled her departure “McCarthyite”, accusing Columbia of capitulating to pro-Israel pressures.
Despite leaving the university, Franke vowed to continue advocating for Palestinian rights. “Columbia’s attempt to punish me will not deter my fight for justice,” she said.
The New Arab has contacted Professor Katherine Franke and Columbia University for comment.
