Columbia professor steps down after accused of harassing Jewish students

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.

In a televised interview last year, the law professor claimed that Israeli students coming to Columbia were known to harass Palestinians and others, following service in the Israeli military.

According to an email from the dean of the law school, Daniel Abebe, Franke "is speeding up her planned retirement" and officially left the university on Friday after nearly 25 years of service.

This case is the latest in the saga of Columbia University, which has become a campus since the terrorist rampage on October 7, 2023. In April, pro-Palestinian protesters set up dozens of tents, demanding the divestment of Israeli assets from the university. The administration had called the police to dismantle these camps, leading to dozens of arrests.

In August, three deans at Columbia resigned after disturbing messages were found that reflected "old antisemitic tropes." The university president, Dr. Minouche Shafik, also left her position following criticism over her handling of antisemitism on campus. At the start of the academic year, new anti-Israel protests took place at the entrance of Columbia and Barnard College.