Columbia University Law professor Katherine Franke, a vocal supporter of Palestinians, claimed on Friday that she was pushed out of her position due to her political activism.
"I have been targeted for my support of pro-Palestinian protesters—by the president of Columbia University, several colleagues, university trustees, and outside actors. This has included an unjustified finding by the university that my public comments condemning attacks against student protesters violated its non-discrimination policy," Franke said in a statement.
Columbia Law School Dean Daniel Abebe informed faculty via email that Franke was “accelerating her planned retirement” and would leave the university on Friday after nearly 25 years. Columbia said it relied on the findings of an internal inquiry that concluded Franke had violated its policies on discrimination and harassment.
In a January 2024 television interview, Franke discussed an incident involving an Israeli student who allegedly sprayed a foul-smelling liquid on pro-Palestinian protesters demanding the university divest funds from Israel. The student was suspended, later sued Columbia, and was awarded $395,000 for what the court deemed a "disproportionate response" by the university.
"So many of those Israeli students who come to Columbia are coming straight out of their military service and have been known to harass Palestinians and other students," Franke said in the interview. She added that the transition from soldier to student can be challenging for some and urged the university to do more to protect all members of its community.
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Following these comments, Columbia faculty members filed complaints against Franke, accusing her of making offensive statements about Israeli students and harassing individuals on campus based on their national origins.
Pro-Palestinian riots at Colombia University last year
Franke's departure sparked strong reactions both on and off campus. The Center for Constitutional Rights condemned her exit, calling it a grave offense against academic freedom and the right to voice support for Palestinian rights. Critics accused Columbia of yielding to political pressure, pointing to last year’s congressional hearings on anti-Israel bias at U.S. universities, which led to the resignation of then-president Minouche Shafik.
Conversely, others argued that Franke’s remarks harmed the sense of security of Israeli and Jewish students, especially amid heightened tensions on campus.