History professor Russell Rickford publicly praised Hamas’s bloody attack on Israel, saying it “gave him energy.” However, he avoided any punishment for his words, only going on vacation “of his own free will,” according to the New York Post.
Rickford attended an anti-Israel demonstration on October 7, 2023, the day Hamas attacked the country.
“It was exciting, it was energizing… I was thrilled,” Rickford lamented at the time.
The terrorist follower later apologized for applauding the massacre of innocent civilians. This semester, Rickford will teach at least two classes at Cornell University: “African American Visions of America” and “Socialism in America.”
After learning that Rickford was neither suspended nor fired, reporters reached out to the university. They confirmed that the professor was not punished for his anti-Semitic views and statements.
Russell Rickford, professor at Cornell University, speaking about Hamas terrorist attacks. Shameful @Cornell. pic.twitter.com/xv1dTqGymy
—Sam Aberman (@samaberman) October 15, 2023
“Rickford’s comments were condemned by the administration as ‘reprehensible’ and showing a ‘complete disregard for humanity,’ but are still protected by his right to free speech,” Cornell Vice President for Public Affairs Joel Malina said. Malina also noted that Rickford spoke his remarks “as a private individual” on his own time, so there is virtually no reason to fire him.
“This is ridiculous. If his actions go unpunished, other professors will be able to follow suit without consequences. This will allow Rickford and other professors to indoctrinate students. Cornell’s policies are ridiculous, to say the least,” said Amanda Silberstein, a 21-year-old junior and vice president of Chabad and Cornellians for Israel.
Anti-Semitism has become so widespread on New York City college campuses since the outbreak of the war in the Middle East that Governor Kathy Hochul commissioned former state Supreme Court Chief Justice Jonathan Lippman to conduct an independent review of the situation. His report is expected to be released within weeks.
As for Rickford, state spokeswoman Claudia Tenney promised to send a letter to Cornell President Michael Kotlikoff protesting the anti-Semitic professor’s return to teaching.
“Regardless of one’s views on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the loss of life, especially of women, children and the elderly, including Holocaust survivors, should never be described as ‘exciting’ or ‘celebratory,'” Claudia Tenney said in a statement.
Previously, Cursor reported that Nadera Shelhoub-Kivorkian, a professor at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem’s Faculty of Law who was temporarily suspended for denying Zionism and doubting the October 7 terror attack, has reversed her position and will begin teaching again.
