Cornell University professor Russell Rickford sparked outrage once again after participating in an anti-Israel march on campus where protesters chanted “long live the intifada.” Photos and videos show Rickford walking with protesters who were shouting against Israel, with some students accusing him of emboldening hate. The professor was seen clapping his hands along with the chants, wearing a keffiyeh and a newsboy hat, reminiscent of his outfit when he made shocking statements last year.
The term “intifada” translates to “uprising” or “shaking off” in Arabic and has been used to describe violent Palestinian protests against Israel in the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. While the American Jewish Committee notes that the White House has condemned the phrase, protesters at the march on campus embraced it. Rickford was present at the protest but does not appear to have been part of the disruption of a career fair that followed, where demonstrators reportedly caused a commotion by crashing cymbals and banging on pots.
Rickford gained notoriety last year for celebrating a Hamas attack on Israel that killed 1,200 Israelis, calling it “exhilarating” and “energizing.” While Cornell University labeled his comments as “reprehensible,” they stated that they were protected under the First Amendment. The professor was on voluntary leave for a year following the outcry but has since been allowed to return to teaching at the Ivy League institution. Jewish students at Cornell, such as Davian Gekman, expressed outrage at Rickford’s continued presence on campus and participation in inflammatory protests.
Amanda Silberstain, vice president of Chabad and Cornellians for Israel, criticized Rickford for promoting antisemitic narratives and emboldening hate through his participation in fiery protests. Video footage from the demonstration at the career fair showed protesters causing a disturbance inside the building, with Cornell University officials denouncing the behavior as unacceptable, a violation of university policy, and potentially illegal. The scenes of chaos included protesters banging on pots and clashing cymbals, disrupting the event and causing guests to feel threatened.
The University Relations Vice President at Cornell, Joel Malina, stated that university police officers were pushed and shoved during the disruption at the career fair, and guests were left feeling threatened. Attendees were prevented from experiencing the fair as a result of the actions of the protesters. Campus police are reportedly working to identify individuals who violated university policies, with students facing potential suspension and faculty or staff being referred to Human Resources. Rickford did not respond to requests for comments on his involvement in the protest. The university did not address Rickford’s appearance at the march when contacted by the media.
