The Hebrew University disowned a senior lecturer who claimed that Israel is committing genocide: "The university rejects with disgust all of her distorted statements," she said.
Prof. Nadira Shalhoub-Kiborkian, an expert in criminology and social work, published a petition online that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, and even said that she is considering leaving her job because of it.
The statement issued by the university also states that it is "proud to be an Israeli, public and Zionist institution. As in the past, the heads of the university repeat their call to Prof. Kaborkian to find another academic home that matches her positions."
The announcement states that for the time being it has been decided to suspend the lecturer.
Mount Scopus campus of the Hebrew University/Creative Commons
Before this announcement, the president of the Hebrew University Prof. Asher Cohen called for her resignation.
The university explained that although Shalhoub-Kyborkian's words were "shocking", according to the university's regulations they are not defined as incitement to terrorism or racism, and therefore do not constitute sufficient grounds for dismissal.
Minister of Education Yoav Kish responded to the case in X: "I was shocked to hear the inciting words of Prof. Nadira of Hebrew. According to the president of Hebrew, without a police charge, he cannot act to suspend her. The situation of such hatred against Israel and Zionism within higher education is dangerous and intolerable. More will be submitted Today there is a complaint with the police and I hope that you will open an immediate investigation on the matter. At the same time, I will work to examine the incident at the MLA to find additional tools to deal with the inciting teacher."
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The Hebrew University