A Chicago art professor who was slammed online for calling Israel “pigs” and “very evil people” after a Hamas attack says he is “deeply sorry” and does not stand by his antisemitic comments.
Dr Mika Tosca, a climate scientist and associate professor at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC), issued an apology on his Instagram on Wednesday for his incendiary post in the middle of the Israel-Hamas war.
“Yesterday I wrote some things on my Instagram story that I strongly reject and do not stand behind,” wrote Tosca.
“I’m very sorry for writing what I wrote, and for hurting so many people’s hearts with my words, and I’m very sorry to the people of Israel because I widely blamed the war.”
Earlier this week, Tosca drew criticism when she called Israel’s counterattack against Hamas — the terrorist group that has killed about 1,400 people and is believed to be holding about 200 hostages — “absolutely evil” and “propaganda.”
Dr. Mika Tosca, an associate professor at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, was accused of posting antisemitic remarks on social media. mictosca.com
Following Hamas’s surprise attack on southern Israel on October 7, the Israeli army has relentlessly bombarded the Gaza Strip.
As of Thursday, at least 2,778 Palestinians had been killed and another 9,700 wounded, the Hamas-controlled health ministry said.
“Israelis are pigs. Savages,” Tosca wrote at the time. “A very bad person. Irredeemable shit.
Tosca called Israel “pigs” and “barbaric” as she condemned the Jewish state’s attack on Hamas. Instagram/Mika Tosca
“After last week, if your eyes are not open to the crimes against humanity that Israel is committing and has committed for decades, and will continue to commit, then I suggest you open them,” he added.
“It is disgusting and disgusting. May they all rot in hell.”
Tosca’s post was shared by the group Stop Antisemitism, which also shared its apology later.
“[Israelis] not — and not — eligible [what I said], and I mistakenly posted what I posted; I know that my words perpetuate harmful stereotypes,” the lengthy statement read.
Mika Tosca is a climate scientist and activist.SAIC
“I allow my reaction to violence in Israel and Palestine to take inappropriate and offensive forms, and I take proactive steps to learn how I can do better and be better.
“To the many Israelis and Jews whom I hurt with my words: I am truly sorry. I admit my mistakes and promise to be better. I hope you can forgive me,” he concluded.
Earlier this week, the art institute school said it was aware of the “hateful views” Tosca wrote in her initial rant and insisted that the school “rejected” the post.
The school did not immediately respond to The Post’s request for comment on Tosca’s apology.
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Speaking to The Post on Wednesday, Liora Rex, executive director of Stop Antisemitism, demanded that “administrators hold Dr. Mika Tosca fully responsible for his vile bigotry.”
“He must be investigated for his horrible sentiments. Jewish students deserve to feel safe on campus and people like him make that impossible when they are unapologetically antisemitic.”
Meanwhile, Tosca is not the only academic who has caused controversy following the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war.
Joseph Massad, a professor of politics and history at Columbia University, made headlines when he called Hamas’ attacks on Israelis “tremendous.”
Follow The Post’s live blog for the latest news on Hamas attacks on Israel
The tenured professor is the subject of a petition calling for his removal — though the Change.org-based movement was “under review” as of Thursday morning.
Further north, at Cornell University, associate history professor Russell Rickford is struggling to save face after he boasted that he was “delighted” by the wave of anti-Israel violence.
On the other side of the divisive issue, University of Washington professor Seth Crosby claims to have been fired because he referred to Israeli airstrikes in Gaza as “a much-needed purge.”
The off-color words were criticized by Islamic advocacy groups for being inhumane to the Palestinians – many of whom have lived in exile in the Gaza Strip and West Bank for decades.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
