JVP Academic Council Appalled By Cornell President’s Conduct Regarding Anti-Genocide Campus Protest

A university president should not, when pulling out of a parking space, hit campus protesters and drive away.

A university president should not weaponize campus policies regarding  assembly, speech, and student and faculty conduct for the purpose of squelching dissent.  

A university president should–always–recognize and stand against genocide.

A university president should not smear as “undemocratic” legitimate, non-violent protest, specifically protest against genocide and/or the university administration’s own repressive conduct — regardless of how fierce the protest may be.

And in a case where a university president, when pulling out of a parking space, does hit campus protestors with their motor vehicle, they should stop, get out of the car, and confirm that no one is hurt or needs medical attention.  And too, they should reflect publicly, with humility and honesty, on their own conduct, rather than telling the world it was all the fault of the protestors.  

The Academic Council of Jewish Voice for Peace is appalled by the conduct of Cornell University president Michael Kotlikoff.  Most urgently, the Council is appalled by Kotlikoff’s refusal to recognize the humanity of Palestinians and the injustice of Israeli state apartheid, occupation, and genocide.

The Jewish Voice for Peace Academic Council is a network of scholars dedicated to furthering JVP’s vision and values. Drawing upon our shared commitment to both progressive Jewish values and Palestinian liberation, we organize in solidarity with the Palestinian freedom struggle in educational and academic settings. We draw upon our skills as scholars, educators, and writers to develop critical analysis of contemporary censorship on Palestine. We oppose the deployment of the charge of antisemitism to censor or criminalize speech critical of the State of Israel’s treatment of Palestinians.  We defend employment rights, academic freedom, and rights of association within higher education and confirm the core values of Jewish Voice for Peace.