A prominent law professor from Cornell University is seeking a civil rights inquiry over claims that a colleague tried to bar Israeli students from participating in classes concerning Gaza.
This week, Cornell verified that it has suspended Eric Cheyfitz, a professor known for his research and humanitarian efforts, according to a representative from the university.
Allegations claim that Cheyfitz, who actively opposes Israeli policies, communicated to Israeli students that they were not welcome in their Gaza courses, as reported by a Jewish Insider article.
William Jacobson, a law professor who leads a university watchdog group, told the Post that such actions, if true, could constitute a severe violation of civil rights. He emphasized, “We can’t treat students negatively based on their origins. Everyone understands that this is a clear line that shouldn’t be crossed.”
Thus far, Jacobson is holding back on filing formal complaints until more details develop. His organization has previously looked into discrimination at over 120 institutions, with a focus on origin-based bias.
The university has initiated a probe into the matter following a complaint against Cheyfitz, who is an advisor for the Cornell Chapter of Jewish Voice for Peace.
A spokesperson for Cornell stated, “Our commitment is to protect community members from discrimination.” They added that, based on the investigation findings, certain faculty members would not be teaching this semester, with appropriate disciplinary steps recommended.
Jacobson expressed that if the allegations against Cheyfitz hold weight, it could escalate into a more rigorous civil rights examination by federal authorities.
He insisted that, alongside Cornell’s actions, the U.S. Department of Justice and other relevant offices should conduct their independent investigation. Given the events since October 7, he feels this would be in the best interest of everyone, considering the scrutiny faced by the university’s administration.
Jacobson highlighted the historical involvement of the Justice Department in similar civil rights investigations in the past, stressing the need for transparency. “This can’t just be swept under the rug,” he said. “It’s a serious matter that demands thorough as well as independent investigations to ensure community trust.”
The Post reached out to Cheyfitz for his comments.
He previously taught a course titled “Gaza, Indigenous Peoples and Resistance” in the spring semester.
The course aimed to explore the role of Indigenous peoples in resisting colonialism globally and specifically addresses the Israeli-Palestinian situation.
This course has faced criticism from fellow educators, who argue it imposes narrow perspectives on complex issues and features inaccuracies.
Cheyfitz has been direct about his stance on Israel. Following the attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023, which resulted in the death of over 1,200 Israelis, he took to social media asserting that “Israel has initiated this war.”
