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🇮🇱 Israel /Culture & Society

Michigan professor's commencement praise for anti-Israel activists sparks backlash

From Jerusalem Post · (4m ago) English Critical tone

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • A University of Michigan professor drew criticism for praising anti-Israel student activists during a commencement speech.
  • The professor's remarks were deemed hurtful and insensitive by the university president, who apologized on behalf of the institution.
  • University officials and regency candidates expressed disappointment, with some calling for accountability and emphasizing that commencement should be a time of unity, not political expression.

At the University of Michigan, a commencement ceremony became a flashpoint for political division when Professor Derek Peterson, outgoing chair of the Faculty Senate, used his platform to laud students engaged in anti-Israel activism. Peterson's speech, which celebrated these students for highlighting the "injustice and inhumanity of Israel's war in Gaza," was met with applause from parts of the audience but quickly drew sharp criticism from university leadership and regency candidates.

Sing for the pro-Palestinian student activists, who have over these past two years opened our hearts to the injustice and inhumanity of Israel's war in Gaza

— Prof. Derek PetersonDuring his commencement speech at the University of Michigan.

University President Domenico Grasso issued a swift apology, stating that Peterson's remarks were "hurtful and insensitive" and did not represent the institution's stance of neutrality. Grasso emphasized that commencement is a time for celebration and unity, not personal or political expression, deeming the professor's commentary inappropriate for the occasion.

hurtful and insensitive to many members of our community

— Domenico GrassoUniversity President Grasso's statement apologizing for Peterson's remarks.

This incident highlights the deep divisions surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, even within academic institutions. While Peterson framed his speech within the context of student activism and the university's move toward justice, critics like Regent Sarah Hubbard and regency candidates Michael Schostak and Lena Epstein viewed it as a breach of decorum and an inappropriate use of a celebratory event. The debate underscores the tension between academic freedom and the expectation of institutional neutrality, particularly during significant public events. From a local perspective in Michigan, the focus is on how such events impact the campus community and whether the university administration adequately addresses concerns about inclusivity and the appropriate boundaries for political discourse.

Everyone in our community is entitled to their own views; but this was neither the time nor the place. Commencement is a time of celebration, recognition and unity

— Domenico GrassoUniversity President Grasso's statement on the inappropriateness of the remarks.
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Originally published by Jerusalem Post in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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