New York Governor Kathy Hochul has intervened in a controversial job listing for a Palestinian Studies professor at Hunter College, part of the City University of New York (CUNY) system. On February 28, 2025, Hochul directed CUNY to immediately remove the advertisement, citing concerns over divisive and polarizing language that could promote antisemitism. The university system complied with her directive, pulling the listing from its website.
The decision follows public outcry over the language used in the job description, which was seen as controversial by some political leaders and groups. CUNY expressed strong agreement with the Governor’s assessment, stating that it shared her concerns about the potential for hate speech to flourish in academic settings. The university also committed to working with the Governor’s office to combat antisemitism and hate across its campuses. As reported by the ABC News, CUNY removed the listing from its website, and the position was marked as “no longer accepting applications” on LinkedIn.
Controversial job listing sparks debate
The job listing sought a Palestinian Studies professor with a “historically grounded” perspective on Palestine, calling for a scholar to take a “critical lens” on issues such as settler colonialism, genocide, human rights, apartheid, migration, climate and infrastructure devastation, health, race, gender, and sexuality. However, the phrasing of the listing quickly drew criticism. Critics, including Governor Hochul, argued that the language used in the advertisement could potentially foster antisemitism.
Hochul’s office did not hesitate in making her position clear. A spokesperson for the Governor remarked that the role’s promotion of certain issues could be construed as endorsing antisemitic views, an accusation that led to her direct intervention. As quoted by the ABC News, Hochul accused the job listing of “promoting antisemitism” and emphasized the necessity of removing the posting from public view immediately. The spokesperson added, “The Governor has continued to strongly condemn all forms of antisemitism and has made clear that hateful rhetoric of any kind has no place at CUNY or anywhere in New York State.”
CUNY’s response and the broader implications
CUNY, which is home to over 500,000 students, released a statement affirming its alignment with the Governor’s directive. The university emphasized that the language in the job listing was deemed “divisive, polarizing, and inappropriate.” In response to the controversy, CUNY reaffirmed its commitment to collaborating with Governor Hochul and other stakeholders in the ongoing effort to address antisemitism on campus and ensure that hate speech does not gain a foothold in any educational environment.
The removal of the listing represents a significant development in the ongoing debate surrounding academic freedom and the limits of free expression in university settings. While some have praised the Governor’s decision, others have voiced concerns about the broader implications for academic independence. Critics argue that this type of intervention could set a dangerous precedent for limiting scholarly inquiry and discussion on sensitive topics.
Ongoing efforts to combat hate speech
In the wake of the job listing’s removal, CUNY has pledged to conduct a thorough review of its policies to ensure that its hiring practices remain in line with the commitment to combat hate in all forms. The university’s leadership has made it clear that it will continue to work closely with various stakeholders, including the Governor’s office, to ensure that academic freedom is balanced with the need to maintain a campus environment free from hate speech and discrimination.
As quoted by the ABC News, a spokesperson for CUNY noted, “We will continue working with the Governor and other stakeholders to tackle antisemitism on our campuses and combat hate in all of its forms.”
Governor Hochul’s directive and CUNY’s subsequent removal of the Palestinian Studies professor job listing have ignited a broader conversation about the intersection of politics, education, and free speech in New York’s public university system. The controversy is expected to remain a topic of discussion as debates continue over the role of higher education in shaping public discourse on complex, sensitive issues.
