Calls Grow to Shut Down Middle Eastern Studies Departments Amid Rising Campus Antisemitism
NEW YORK, N.Y. — As concerns about antisemitism on college campuses intensify, a growing chorus of voices is demanding the closure of Middle Eastern studies departments nationwide. Critics argue that these programs have become hotbeds of radicalization, where faculty members allegedly praise terrorist groups like Hamas and students face harassment and exclusion from campus spaces. The debate has reignited following reports that some departments are influenced by foreign funding and political agendas, raising questions about academic integrity and campus safety.
Lisa Daftari, a former student in one such program, bluntly stated, “Shut them down.” She described these departments as “corrupted and compromised,” asserting that they indoctrinate students to despise the United States while whitewashing the crimes of terrorist organizations. Daftari highlighted how these programs serve as conduits for foreign money, which allegedly dictates curriculum, faculty hiring, admissions, and scholarships. This financial influence, she said, extends to extracurricular groups that have been linked to encampments and harassment campaigns targeting Jewish students.
Experts warn that this phenomenon has been developing for over two decades but has recently become more overt due to a lack of accountability. Cornell law professor William Jacobson, founder of the Equal Protection Project, has spoken extensively about the rise of campus antisemitism, noting that it often festers beneath the surface until it erupts into public incidents. The U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division has also been monitoring hate crimes and discrimination on campuses, emphasizing the need for institutions to protect vulnerable student populations.
At Columbia University, Mahmood Mamdani, father of New York City’s mayor-elect, has drawn criticism for framing Israel primarily as a colonial project while downplaying the terrorism of groups such as Hamas. This perspective, critics say, shapes how students in African and Middle Eastern studies understand the region, potentially fostering hostility toward Israel. Similarly, Oberlin College’s Mohammad Jafar Mahallati, a former Iranian diplomat, faces allegations of involvement in covering up mass executions by the Iranian regime in the 1980s and has been accused of minimizing Hamas’s terrorism by referring to it as “resistance.”
Princeton University’s Seyed Hossein Mousavian, another former Iranian official, has been scrutinized for echoing Tehran’s talking points and appearing to legitimize groups like Hamas and Hezbollah under the guise of Middle East security studies. These faculty members’ controversial stances have raised alarms about the ideological slant of academic programs and their impact on student attitudes.
Jewish organizations have condemned slogans such as “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free,” which have appeared at protests near campuses like Tulane University. These phrases are widely regarded as antisemitic and contribute to an atmosphere of intimidation. The Anti-Defamation League has documented numerous instances of harassment and exclusion faced by Jewish students, urging universities to take stronger action.
Foreign funding plays a significant role in this dynamic. Saudi Arabia, among other nations, has reportedly invested tens of millions of dollars into Middle Eastern studies programs, influencing academic content and extracurricular activities. This influx of money has raised concerns about the “intellectual capture” of American academia, where authoritarian regimes shape narratives to suit their interests.
University administrators face mounting pressure to address these issues decisively. The U.S. Department of Education has guidelines aimed at preventing discrimination and ensuring a safe learning environment, but critics argue enforcement has been inconsistent. As the debate continues, some advocates insist that shutting down Middle Eastern studies departments is the only way to halt the spread of campus radicalism and protect Jewish students from ongoing harassment.
With tensions escalating and the memory of the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel still fresh, the controversy surrounding these academic programs underscores the complex intersection of education, foreign influence, and campus safety. Whether institutions will heed calls for reform or closure remains to be seen, but the conversation is unlikely to fade anytime soon.
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