The Cornell College professor who final yr referred to as Hamas’ wicked Oct. 7 assault “exhilarating” sparked extra outrage after collaborating in an anti-Israel march the place protesters chanted “lengthy reside the intifada.”
Affiliate historical past professor Russell Rickford walked with dozens of demonstrators as they spewed slogans in opposition to Israel, with one Jewish scholar calling the controversial teacher’s presence on the protest “insane” and one other accusing him of “emboldening hate.”
Pictures and movies obtained by The Put up present Rickford clapping his palms together with the chants as he walked with a keffiyeh round his shoulders and carrying a newsboy hat on his head — just like the hat he wore final yr when he made his surprising statements.
Intifada is the Arabic phrase that in English means “rebellion” or “shaking off.”
Within the context of the Israeli-Palestinian battle, intifada has been used to explain violent Palestinian protests in opposition to the Jewish state, in keeping with the American Jewish Committee. The White Home has beforehand condemned the phrase.
Protesters finally crashed a profession honest that was held on campus the place faculty officers mentioned they pushed previous faculty law enforcement officials — although it doesn’t seem Rickford was a part of that disruption from footage posted on-line.
The teacher gained notoriety when he celebrated Hamas’ sneak assault on the Jewish state that killed 1,200 Israelis and sparked the conflict in Gaza.
“It was exhilarating, it was energizing ….I used to be exhilarated,” Rickford mentioned on the time — although he later apologized for the shameful speech.
Whereas Cornell referred to as the feedback “reprehensible” final yr, they famous the phrases have been protected underneath the First Modification. He was out for the previous yr on voluntary go away amid the outcry, however was allowed to return to show on the Ivy this semester.
Jewish scholar Davian Gekman, 19, mentioned “it’s insane to me” that Rickford is allowed to show on the faculty and feels comfy to take part in fiery protests on campus.
“Cornell is spitting in my face and the face of your complete Jewish group,” Gekman informed The Put up. “They’re permitting professors to name for `intifida’, an finish of the Jewish state.”
Amanda Silberstain, vp of Chabad and Cornellians for Israel, mentioned Rickford marched with college students to the constructing the place the profession honest was held, the Statler Resort, however is uncertain if he went inside.
“He was carrying a keffiyeh and smiling. Rickford is aware of he’s immune from penalties,” Sillberstein fumed. “We now have a professor who’s selling antisemitic narratives and emboldening hate.”
Video posted on-line by the group that spearheaded the demonstration, the Coalition for Mutual Liberation, reveals protesters inflicting a ruckus contained in the profession honest, together with crashing cymbals and banging on pots, as attendees tried to function round it.
One other video posted by an Ithaca Occasions journalist confirmed college students calling on the college to divest from weapon producers.
Cornell Vice President for College Relations Joel Malina mentioned in a press release college police have been pushed and shoved and visitors felt threatened throughout the disruption.
“And college students have been denied their means to expertise the Profession Truthful. This conduct is unacceptable, a violation of college coverage, and unlawful,” Malina said.
“Cornell Police are working to determine those that violated our insurance policies, and college students will probably be referred to the Workplace of Pupil Conduct and Neighborhood Requirements for quick motion together with suspension.
“School and employees will probably be referred to Human Sources. These people may even be topic to potential legal prices.”
The college didn’t handle Rickford’s look on the march when contacted by The Put up.
Rickford didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.
