Rashid Khalidi Image by wikicommons

More than 230 Ramaz students have signed a petition protesting the decision of their school to ban a program with Rashid Khalidi, a Columbia University professor who is know for his sharp criticism of Israel.

Explaining their position, Paul Shaviv, the head of school issued a letter to parents and faculty on Friday, stating:

When I learned of this invitation, I, along with others, felt that the controversy would be inevitable and would massively overshadow any conversation, and make an educational experience impossible. Professor Khalidi, who is an international personality of great political stature, was not the right partner for “dialogue” with high school students, and we needed to cancel his visit.

Forwarding the News

Thoughtful, balanced reporting from the Forward and around the web, bringing you updated news and analysis of the crisis each day.

Terms(Required)

I agree to the Forward's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Email(Required)

Defending the school’s stance on dialogue, Shaviv continues:

Please note that the issue has never been about whether or not students should hear another view; they should. Our question was, “Is this the appropriate program?” To this end, we are working with RamPo to arrange an event that will provide the program content they originally envisioned.

Mondoweiss, an anti-Zionist website which first reported the story, called the incident evidence of the “Jewish community commit[ting] intellectual suicide before our eyes.”

These is no word yet on who the school might bring in to replace Khalidi.

A message from our CEO & publisher Rachel Fishman Feddersen

I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.

Now more than ever, American Jews need independent news they can trust, with reporting driven by truth, not ideology. We serve you, not any ideological agenda

At a time when other newsrooms are closing or cutting back, the Forward has removed its paywall and invested additional resources to report on the ground from Israel and around the U.S. on the impact of the war, rising antisemitism and polarized discourse.

Readers like you make it all possible. Support our work by becoming a Forward Member and connect with our journalism and your community.

—  Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO

Join our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.

$36 $500

$120 $180 Other amount