‘I want to make it clear that Chairwoman Virginia Foxx … is a treasonous Zionist tool,‘ says Afif Aqrabawi
MIT postdoctoral associate Afif Aqrabawi (Twitter)
A Massachusetts Institute of Technology faculty member went on an anti-Semitic tirade after the House Committee on Education and the Workforce pressed the school to provide internal documents about its response to the outbreak of anti-Semitism on campus.
A postdoctoral associate working in MIT’s Tonegawa neuroscience lab, Afif Aqrabawi, derided the committee chairwoman, Virginia Foxx (R., N.C.), as “a treasonous Zionist tool, a genocide enabler, and a disgusting shit stain of a human,” and described other members of the House as “Israeli bootlickers.”
Aqrabawi also referred to American politicians as “loyal prostitutes of Netanyahu,” lamented the influence of Jewish political groups, and referred to Israelis as “parasites.”
“I make it clear your representatives are eager cucks for defense contractors and AIPAC,” he wrote. “My words are dangerous because they may alert a distracted American public to the parasites using their country as a host species.”
Aqrabawi’s tirade came in the wake of a letter from Foxx to MIT president Sally Kornbluth that panned Kornbluth’s response to several anti-Semitic incidents on campus and pressed the school to provide internal documents shedding light on its policies and code of conduct.
The committee’s letter cited several tweets Aqrabawi sent, including one in which he said Israel “has no future in this world.” In other posts highlighted by the committee, the MIT faculty member accused Israelis of “harvesting” the organs of dead Palestinians and called Zionists “Jewish fundamentalists who want to enslave the world in a global Apartheid system.”
As a postdoctoral associate in MIT’s Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Aqrabawi earns a minimum salary of $66,950 and works under a “faculty mentor,” according to MIT’s website. The head of Aqrabawi’s lab is Susumu Tonegawa, a professor of biology and neuroscience.
It is unclear whether Aqrabawi is an American citizen. A self-identified ”Palestinian-Canadian,” Aqrabawi graduated from the University of Toronto, according to an online bio, and his social media tirade refers to American politicians as “your representatives.” Neither MIT nor Aqrabawi responded to requests for comment regarding whether he teaches undergraduate students or his citizenship status.
Aqrabawi is no stranger to anti-Semitic rhetoric, having referred to Israelis as mentally ill Nazis, language that he acknowledged is “hateful.”
“Hail the man leading an industrial-scale slaughter of an occupied, defenseless people!” he wrote in response to an Oct. 25 address from Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanayhu. ”Zionism is a mental illness.”
“Dear ZioNazis of Israel, particularly those supporting this genocide, I hope you never find peace and comfort in life,” he wrote in December. “I hope the ghosts of our 30,000 killed haunt you until you rot out of existence.”
“Yes, this is hateful language,” he continued.” Don’t expect me to be full of love and professionalism as this holocaust continues to unfold against my deeply oppressed people.”
Three days after Hamas’s Oct. 7 attack on Israel, meanwhile, Aqrabawi compared Israel’s retaliatory war to “Nazism, disguised as Israeli self-defense.” Last month, the MIT faculty member said Hamas members did not rape Israelis on the day of the attack.
“Can you point to a single report/victim?” he wrote. “Not only can you not substantiate your perverted rape fantasies, you won’t allow any third-party investigations of their allegations.” Roughly one month later, a United Nations report confirmed evidence of Hamas terrorists raping Israeli victims.
MIT’s internal deliberations regarding Aqrabawi and other student groups and faculty members may eventually make their way to Foxx and her committee: Foxx’s letter requests internal communications between MIT leaders on the school’s disciplinary decisions, among other records. Should MIT refuse, Foxx’s committee could subpoena the school, as it has done to Harvard University.
“MIT is committed to providing a response to the committee’s questions,” the school said in a Friday statement. “We don’t have any further comment at this time.”
How has MIT responded to the backlash against its faculty member for his anti-Semitic comments?
MIT Faculty Member Faces Backlash for Anti-Semitic Comments”
In a recent incident, a postdoctoral associate at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Afif Aqrabawi, went on an offensive and anti-Semitic tirade after the House Committee on Education and the Workforce requested internal documents from the institution regarding their handling of anti-Semitism on campus. Aqrabawi, who works in MIT’s Tonegawa neuroscience lab, aimed derogatory comments at committee chairwoman Virginia Foxx, accusing her of being a “treasonous Zionist tool” and making disparaging remarks about other members of the House.
Aqrabawi’s disrespectful and inflammatory comments not only target individuals but also levied accusations against American politicians as a whole. He referred to them as “loyal prostitutes of Netanyahu” and criticized their alleged influence of Jewish political groups. In addition, he used derogatory language towards Israelis, describing them as “parasites” and accused Zionists of wanting to establish a global apartheid system.
The incident unfolded following a letter sent by Chairwoman Virginia Foxx to MIT’s president, Sally Kornbluth, expressing dissatisfaction with the school’s response to anti-Semitic incidents on campus and requesting transparency through the submission of internal documents. The committee’s letter highlighted several tweets from Aqrabawi, including one denying Israel’s future in this world and another accusing Israelis of organ harvesting and promoting a global apartheid system.
As a postdoctoral associate in MIT’s Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Aqrabawi receives a minimum salary and works under the supervision of a faculty mentor. His lab is headed by Susumu Tonegawa, a well-respected professor of biology and neuroscience at MIT. It remains unclear whether Aqrabawi is an American citizen, as he identifies as a “Palestinian-Canadian” on social media. Neither Aqrabawi nor MIT have responded to requests for comment on his citizenship status or whether he teaches undergraduate students.
This incident is not the first time that Aqrabawi has displayed anti-Semitic rhetoric. He has previously referred to Israelis as mentally ill Nazis, acknowledging that such language is “hateful.” These comments not only add to the growing concerns about anti-Semitism but also bring into question the responsibility of academic institutions in addressing and preventing the spread of discriminatory views within their walls.
Critics argue that Aqrabawi’s comments are not only offensive but also undermine the principles of academic freedom and respect for diverse opinions that universities should strive for. As educational institutions, places like MIT have a duty to foster an environment of inclusivity and tolerance for all individuals, regardless of their backgrounds or beliefs.
In response to this incident, it is important for MIT and other institutions to reaffirm their commitment to diversity, inclusivity, and respect. Racist and discriminatory views have no place on campus or in any academic setting. Universities must take seriously their role in addressing and preventing hate speech and discrimination, ensuring that their campuses remain safe and welcoming spaces for all.
Moving forward, it is essential for MIT and other institutions to establish clear guidelines and policies regarding respectful and appropriate behavior for their faculty, staff, and students. Such steps will help prevent incidents like this and ensure that individuals are held accountable for their actions and the impact of their words.
In conclusion, the recent anti-Semitic tirade by Afif Aqrabawi, a postdoctoral associate at MIT, highlights the pressing need for universities to address and combat discrimination and hate speech within their communities. It is crucial for institutions to create an inclusive and respectful environment, where all individuals can thrive and pursue their academic goals without fear of prejudice or hostility.
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