Students at Al-Quds University Celebrate Hamas’s 35th Anniversary
Pro-Palestinian rally at Columbia University (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
The Columbia University law professor who defended Hamas’s terrorist assault on Israel as a “military response” has ties to Al-Quds University, a Palestinian school known for its support of Hamas. Katherine Franke, a professor of “gender and sexuality” law at Columbia, initiated an open letter in support of Hamas and anti-Israel students. What the letter fails to mention is Franke’s role as an academic mentor at Al-Quds University, where she supported the human rights faculty.
Al-Quds University has a history of hosting Hamas rallies, including one that honored the terror group’s 35th anniversary in December 2022. At this event, a Hamas spokesman declared their determination to “liberate Palestine from the river to the sea,” and masked fighters paraded through the campus with Hamas flags. Following Hamas’s attack on Israel, the university released a statement mourning the “martyrs of the nation” and condemning Israeli “aggression.”
Franke’s association with Al-Quds University is indicative of the growing anti-Israel sentiment among faculty at top American universities. Another Columbia professor, Joseph Massad, praised Hamas’s attack, while a Cornell University professor called the killing of Israelis “energizing” and “exhilarating.”
Brandeis University and Syracuse University have both severed ties with Al-Quds University due to its support for terrorism. Brandeis ended its relationship after a campus rally where demonstrators in military gear raised the Nazi salute. Franke’s letter, signed by over 100 Columbia faculty members, supported a student statement blaming Israeli “aggression” and “apartheid” for Hamas’s attack.
In addition to her involvement with Al-Quds University, Franke sits on the steering committee of the Jewish Voice for Peace Academic Advisory Council, a group that promotes anti-Israel activism. The organization defended congresswoman Ilhan Omar’s anti-Semitic remarks and organized a raid on a congressional office building by anti-Israel demonstrators.
In what ways can universities balance academic freedom and accountability when it comes to promoting dialogue while avoiding the endorsement or glorification of violence and terrorist organizations
Staken legal argument” has found himself in hot water once again. This time, it is not for his controversial views, but rather for his involvement in a pro-Hamas rally at Al-Quds University.
Al-Quds University, located in East Jerusalem, recently hosted a celebration in honor of the 35th anniversary of Hamas, the Palestinian Sunni-Islamic fundamentalist organization. The event was attended by students, faculty members, and various other individuals who sympathize with the cause of Hamas.
The celebration consisted of speeches praising the accomplishments of Hamas over the past 35 years. Speakers hailed the organization as a symbol of resistance against ‘Israeli occupation’ and applauded its efforts to establish an independent Palestinian state. They also emphasized the importance of unity among Palestinians in their struggle for liberation.
However, critics argue that this celebration undermines the peace process and perpetuates a cycle of violence in the region. Hamas, designated as a terrorist organization by many countries, including the United States, has been involved in numerous attacks against Israeli civilians. Their tactics, which openly target non-combatants, have been widely condemned by the international community.
The involvement of Al-Quds University in this event has raised concerns about the institution’s ideology and commitment to peaceful coexistence. While universities should serve as platforms for critical thinking and open dialogue, they should also promote values such as tolerance, respect, and understanding among diverse groups.
In recent years, Al-Quds University has faced criticism for its perceived lack of action in addressing incidents of anti-Israeli incitement on campus. In 2013, a demonstration took place at the university featuring individuals dressed as Hamas militants, brandishing weapons and performing Nazi-style salutes. The university later condemned the incident but was criticized for its delayed response and perceived insincerity.
The celebration of Hamas’s anniversary at Al-Quds University is likely to further fuel concerns over the institution’s ideological leanings. Critics argue that hosting an event that glorifies an organization responsible for acts of violence and terrorism is not only morally questionable but also undermines efforts towards a peaceful resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
While it is essential to respect academic freedom, universities must also be held accountable for their actions. Encouraging dialogue and intellectual discourse should not come at the expense of promoting violence or endorsing terrorist organizations. It is crucial for universities to foster an environment that respects diverse perspectives while upholding universal values of peace, justice, and human rights.
As the controversy surrounding the pro-Hamas rally at Al-Quds University continues, it serves as a reminder of the complex and deeply entrenched issues faced in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Only through constructive dialogue, mutual understanding, and a commitment to nonviolence can a just and lasting solution be found. Universities should serve as catalysts for positive change, promoting understanding and cooperation among all parties involved.
