Leadership Changes at Harvard’s Center for Middle Eastern Studies
In a significant shake-up, two prominent leaders at Harvard University’s Center for Middle Eastern Studies are set to depart from their roles. This decision comes amidst ongoing scrutiny from alumni who have voiced concerns regarding what they perceive as an anti-Israel bias within the department. Furthermore, the university faces mounting pressure from federal authorities to address serious allegations of antisemitism on campus.
The current director, Cemal Kafadar, a respected professor specializing in Turkish studies, along with the associate director, Rosie Bsheer, a noted historian of the Middle East, have both refrained from commenting on the situation as of Friday. Their silence has not gone unnoticed, especially given the context of their impending departures.
The Harvard Crimson, the university’s student newspaper, was the first to report on this development. In an email sent out on Wednesday, which was later reviewed by The New York Times, David Cutler, the interim dean of Social Science, announced that Dr. Kafadar would officially step down at the conclusion of the academic year. However, attempts to reach Dr. Cutler for further comments late Friday were unsuccessful.
Sources close to the situation, including faculty members who have engaged in discussions with both Kafadar and Bsheer, indicate that both professors feel as though they were effectively compelled to leave their positions. This sentiment highlights the contentious atmosphere surrounding the Center and reflects the broader challenges the university faces in navigating sensitive geopolitical issues.
