The Case of Maura Finkelstein: Academic Freedom Under Fire
Maura Finkelstein, a dedicated anthropology professor at Muhlenberg College in Pennsylvania, was known for her active engagement on social media platforms. She controversially referred to a fundraiser aimed at supporting the Israeli military efforts as “students raising money for genocide.” Her social media presence often concluded with the rallying cry “Free Palestine,” reflecting her strong political stance.
However, her online activities did not go unnoticed. Following a series of complaints, federal civil rights investigators, along with the college administration, initiated an inquiry into her social media posts and the discussions that took place in her classroom regarding the ongoing war in Gaza. The tipping point for Dr. Finkelstein came after she shared an Instagram post by Remi Kanazi, a Palestinian American poet. The post boldly stated, “Do not cower to Zionists. Don’t normalize Zionists taking up space.”
This particular post prompted a complaint from a student who expressed feelings of discomfort and insecurity in Dr. Finkelstein’s classes, identifying herself as a Zionist and a Jew. “She said she wouldn’t feel comfortable in my classes,” Dr. Finkelstein recounted in an interview, emphasizing the impact of her actions.
The situation surrounding Dr. Finkelstein is not isolated; it reflects a broader trend affecting numerous faculty members across the nation. As protests erupted on various college campuses last spring, both students and faculty faced repercussions for their involvement. Faculty members have been disciplined for their support of student-led protests or for expressing views that were perceived as antisemitic. In some cases, those who publicly supported Israel have also faced backlash.
The escalation of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has sparked a fierce debate about academic freedom—a principle that institutions of higher learning in the United States often uphold fervently. Many educators and their advocates are concerned that this environment poses a significant threat to the ideals of open discourse and scholarly inquiry.
