Rights group demands Hebrew U reinstate professor who called to abolish Zionism

The Association for Civil Rights in Israel writes to the Hebrew University in Jerusalem demanding it reverse its decision to suspend Prof. Nadera Shalhoub-Kevorkian over a series of inflammatory comments she has made in recent weeks, saying her suspension violated the principles of academic freedom and freedom of expression.

In its letter, ACRI argues that Shalhoub-Kevorkian’s comments, “while contentious, are protected under the right to freedom of expression, rendering her suspension an intolerable infringement upon academic freedom and constitutional rights.”

Earlier this week. the professor told Channel 14 in an interview that Zionism should be abolished, called into question the rapes and other atrocities committed by Hamas on October 7. Last year, she accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza.

“It’s time to abolish Zionism. It can’t continue, it’s criminal. Only by abolishing Zionism can we continue… They will use any lie. They started with babies, they continued with rape, and they will continue with a million other lies. We stopped believing them, I hope the world stops believing them,” said Shalhoub-Kevorkian.

ACRI’s letter on Wednesday asserted that Shalhoub-Kevorkian’s suspension “sends a chilling message to students and faculty members, particularly Palestinian students, suggesting that freedom of expression is only tolerated when it conforms to institutional narratives.”

Yesterday, Hebrew University accused the professor of taking advantage of her academic freedom of expression “for incitement and to create division,” and said it suspended her to “ensure a safe and conducive environment for our students on campus.”