CAMBRIDGE, Massachusetts – After an antisemitic image was shared by the Harvard Undergraduate Palestine Solidarity Committee and Harvard Faculty and Staff for Justice in Palestine, Walter Johnson, a professor of History and of African and African American Studies, resigned as a faculty adviser to the groups. Johnson’s decision to step down was confirmed by his wife, history professor Alison Frank Johnson, in a statement given over the phone on Tuesday evening.
The decision came after a wave of backlash followed the groups’ sharing of the controversial image. The Palestine Solidarity Committee released a statement acknowledging Johnson’s resignation, stating that he remains supportive of their goals as an organization, and they are grateful for his time and support. The Faculty and Staff for Justice in Palestine did not immediately provide a comment on the matter.
Harvard Interim President Alan M. Garber ’76 strongly condemned the antisemitic image in a University-wide email. He emphasized the need to refrain from perpetuating hateful and inflammatory rhetoric that demeans people based on their identity. Prior to the controversy over the antisemitic image, Johnson was listed as the first signatory in the statement of support for the Faculty and Staff for Justice in Palestine. The group’s membership list was eventually removed from the website after the incident.
Following the backlash, the Palestine Solidarity Committee and African and African American Resistance Organization, the groups that originally shared the controversial image, issued a joint apology, expressing regret for the “immense harm” caused by the post. They admitted that the inclusion of the offensive caricature was a painful error due to ignorance and inadequate oversight. The Faculty and Staff for Justice in Palestine also issued an apology on Instagram for resharing the post containing the antisemitic image, expressing opposition to all forms of hate and bigotry, including antisemitism.
The incident has raised concerns about the impact of sharing offensive content and the need for greater oversight to prevent such mistakes in the future. It also highlights the importance of swift action and sincere apologies in response to spreading harmful and offensive material. As the fallout from the controversy continues, the Harvard community is grappling with the complexities of upholding free speech while also promoting sensitivity and respect for all members of the university.