Harvard Middle Eastern Studies leaders dismissed amid antisemitism allegations, Trump admin's pressure on colleges

The director and associate director of Harvard University’s Center for Middle Eastern Studies will leave their positions amid growing criticism toward the department from alumni over alleged anti-Israel bias. The change also comes as Harvard has faced increased scrutiny regarding antisemitism on campus, particularly since the outbreak of the latest Israel-Hamas conflict and the Trump administration’s pressure on colleges and universities.

According to the Harvard Crimson, Director Cemal Kafadar, a professor of Turkish studies, and Associate Director Rosie Bsheer, a Middle East historian, were forced to step down from their posts. In an email reported by The New York Times, interim Dean of Social Science David Cutler announced Wednesday that Kafadar would be leaving his role by the end of the academic year.

Harvard has come under scrutiny from lawmakers over antisemitism and from Republicans seeking to increase ideological diversity on campus. On Tuesday, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences Hopi Hoekstra sent a letter to department heads requesting details on how they will enhance intellectual diversity. Hoekstra asked them to be prepared to discuss to what extent their programs and seminars met “goals of diversity of and exposure to different ideas, perspectives and topics.” Additionally, the email asked how they promote “respectful dialogue across controversial topics.”

The leadership changes come as the Trump administration has cracked down on antisemitism at universities nationwide. Last week, Columbia University agreed to significant policy changes—including placing its Middle Eastern, South Asian, and African Studies department under review—after the administration moved to withhold $400 million in federal funding. Columbia also announced the replacement of its president following the agreement.

In response to Harvard’s leadership shake-up, the executive committee of Harvard’s chapter of the American Association of University Professors condemned the move as an “abrupt termination” in a statement.

“In the context of recent events, the decision appears to be a shameful attempt to escape punishment from the Trump administration for engaging in academic discussions about topics the president disfavors,” the statement said. “These firings cede the university’s decision-making authority to bullies and bad-faith actors committed to silencing speech with which they disagree.”