The Cornell professor who called the Hamas terrorist attack on Israel “exhilarating” and “energizing” is now on leave until at least the end of the semester.
Russell Rickford, an associate professor of history, went viral for his incendiary remarks to students during a pro-Palestinian protest shortly after the Oct. 7 surprise attack on Israel killed 1,400 people, mostly civilians.
“It’s very exciting. It’s exhilarating, it’s energizing,” he was seen telling the crowd, claiming “you’re not human” not to feel the same.
“I am very excited!” he said to thunderous applause.
After initially standing by his remarks, the professor involved later apologized “for his terrible choice of words,” admitting they were “reprehensible” — before his students were told he would no longer be teaching this semester.
“Professor Russell Rickford has requested and received approval to take a leave of absence from the university,” the Ivy League school confirmed to the campus newspaper, the Cornell Review.
Cornell professor Russell Rickford, who called Hamas’ attacks on Israel “exhilarating” and “energizing,” has taken a leave of absence from the university. Cornell University Rickford made a pro-Hamas statement at an off-campus protest from the prestigious Ivy League school.@samaberman / X
Her students first became aware Friday in an email from Professor Tamika Nunley saying she would be taking over her course in post-Civil War African American history.
“Professor Rickford will be taking a leave of absence and I will assume teaching responsibilities for this course for the remainder of the semester,” he wrote to students in an email obtained by the Review.
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A petition calling for Rickford’s termination has garnered nearly 11,000 signatures on Change.org, the outlet reported, noting that among those calling for his resignation are US Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and US Representative Claudia Tenney (R-NY).
In an Oct. 17 statement signed by Cornell president Martha Pollack and board of trustees chair Kraig Kayser, the school condemned Rickford’s remarks.
“We learned yesterday of comments made by Professor Russell Rickford over the weekend at an off-campus rally in which he described the Hamas terrorist attacks as ‘rejoicing,'” Pollack and Kayser wrote.
“I am very excited!” Rickford said to thunderous applause. Cornell University seen from McGraw Tower.Getty Images
“These are reprehensible comments that show no regard whatsoever for humanity,” they continued. “The university takes this incident seriously and is reviewing it in accordance with our procedures.”
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In his recent apology, Rickford said in a statement: “I apologize for the terrible choice of words I used in part of a speech intended to emphasize the tradition of resistance to the oppression of African American, Jewish and Palestinian grassroots.
“I realized that some of the language I used was reprehensible and did not reflect my values,” he added.
Rickford later said, “Some of the language I used was reprehensible and did not reflect my values.” The Cornell Daily Sun
Rickford apologized to the students for his “reckless words” and said he “firmly opposes and condemns racism, anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, militarism, fundamentalism, and all systems that dehumanize, divide, and oppress people.”
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He initially refused to retract his statement in the previous opposition speech.
“What I mean is that in those first few hours, when they broke through the apartheid wall, it seemed to be a symbol of resistance, and indeed a new phase of resistance in the Palestinian struggle,” Rickford said before the apology.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
