Metadata

• When: 2025-01-10

• Where: Columbia University

• Who: Katherine Franke

• Organizations:

• Tags:

Description

Columbia Law School professor Katherine Franke has suddenly announced her retirement today, January 10, 2025.

Franke issued a statement that was published by Center for Constitutional Rights in which she claims she was wrongfully terminated for involvement and support of the pro-Palestinian protesters on campus.

The university, however, claims that she was terminated after an investigation into her conduct on campus was determined to create a discriminatory environment towards Israelis in particular. One key piece of evidence was Franke’s interview on Democracy Now! in which she said, “Israeli students who have served in the IDF [Israel Defense Forces] are dangerous and shouldn’t be on campus.”

Numerous individuals, both professors and alum, have come out in support of Franke. This includes the Faculty for SJP. (link, link)

Relevant Incidents

• 2024-01-25 Katherine Franke Interview: ban Israelis from campus

• 2024-04-03 Faculty Response to Report 1 of Task Force on Antisemitism

Media

• In Support of Our Former Board Chair Katherine Franke As She Faces Retaliation at Columbia for Defending Students Advocating for Palestinian Rights, Center for Constitutional Rights, July 18, 2024

• Columbia University professor retires as probe finds she discriminated against Israelis by Luke Tress, Times of Israel, January 10, 2024

• Columbia Professor Says She Was Pushed to Retire Because of Her Activism by Stephanie Saul, The New York Times, January 10, 2025

• Pro-Palestinian Columbia Professor Departs After Investigation by Ryan Quinn, Inside Higher Ed, January 10, 2025

• In Solidarity With Katherine Franke, Our Former Board Chair, Center for Constitutional Rights, January 10, 2025

• Anti-Israel Columbia U professor alleges terminated due to political bias by Daniel Edelson, Ynet News, January 10, 2025

• Professor accused of harassing Israeli students leaves Columbia University by Danielle Greyman-Kennard, Jerusalem Post, January 11, 2025

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