In the spirit of civil protest and non-violent advocacy, I ask you to join me in this petition. Condoning and supporting terrorism is not acceptable. In Professor Joseph Massad’s newest article on The Electronic Intifada, he writes that the brutal attack that occurred in Israel on October 7th was a “stunning victory” and that Hamas' actions were “astounding,” “awesome,” and “incredible.” 

This attack massacred over 1,300, injured over 3,000, as well as raped and kidnapped women, children, and the elderly (including Holocaust survivors) from over a dozen countries. Massad refuses to condemn Hamas—which is recognized as a terrorist organization by the US, UK, EU, Australia, Canada, and Japan—for its horrific actions. Instead, he shows support for the terrorist organization. 

Massad’s decision to praise the abhorrent attack encourages violence and misinformation in and outside of campus, particularly putting many Jewish and Israeli students on campus at risk. Moreover, many students have expressed that they feel unsafe in the presence of a professor who supports the horrific murders of civilians. 

Regardless of one’s stance on the conflict, supporting and praising one of the worst acts of terrorism in history is never acceptable. We call on Columbia University to hold Massad responsible for his comments and immediately remove him from the Columbia faculty.