Columbia University has refused to comment on the growing furor over a tenured professor who called Hamas’ terror attacks against Israel “awesome” — as a petition calling for his ouster gained more than 45,000 signatures.
Professor of politics and history Joseph Massad was accused of “condoning and supporting terrorism” in a Change.org petition created by 23-year-old student Maya Platek.
The teacher called Hamas’ attacks on Israel a “stunning victory” in an article he published on The Electronic Intifada a day after the conflict ignited.
“Regardless of one’s stance on the conflict, supporting and praising one of the worst acts of terrorism in history is never acceptable,” the petition reads.
“We call on Columbia University to hold Massad responsible for his comments and immediately remove him from the Columbia faculty.”
A letter of solidarity with Massad was issued in turn, condemning the petition against him and calling on Columbia President Nemat Shafik to “unequivocally guarantee his physical safety and his academic freedom.”
That letter has been signed by over 600 people.
Columbia has repeatedly declined to comment on the matter when contacted by The Post, but some professors, including well-known activist Cornel West, have weighed in.
“They can’t have him removed now. I would need to see more of what he said but everyone is entitled to their opinion.” West said.
“But we also have to have deep genuine sympathy for innocent people being killed. The truth is bigger than both [of us].”
A professor who works with Massad said he also hadn’t drawn a conclusion on the matter yet.
“I haven’t spoke to him. I have seen the petitions — but I have not signed either one. And there has been no word from the university,” said the professor, who declined to be named.
“When you see me sign one of the petitions, then you’ll know.”
Columbia has become mired in conflict since Hamas launched its bloody sneak attack against Israel on October 7 and the Jewish nation retaliated with aggressive airstrikes.
Days later an Israeli student was beaten during an argument over the conflict as students held vigils and erected memorials for the victims of the fighting.
The school closed its campus to the public the following day as Hamas leaders called for a “global day of jihad,” while droves of students turned out to face off in dueling demonstrations that filled the school’s main quad.
Massad has taught at the Ivy League school since 1999 and has previously been probed by the school for allegedly making anti-Israeli remarks in class.
“The sight of the Palestinian resistance fighters storming Israeli checkpoints separating Gaza from Israel was astounding,” he wrote in the controversial article
“Perhaps the major achievement of the resistance in the temporary takeover of these settler-colonies is the death blow to any confidence that Israeli colonists had in their military and its ability to protect them.”
The professor could not be reached when contacted by The Post.
