Harvard Dismisses Center for Middle Eastern Studies Leaders Amid Criticism

Harvard University's Center for Middle Eastern Studies (CMES) has seen a significant shake-up in leadership, with the dismissal of Director Cemal Kafadar and Associate Director Rosie Bsheer due to increasing scrutiny over the center's programming related to Israel and Palestine. This decision, made by Interim Dean David M. Cutler, follows mounting pressure from alumni and external political forces, particularly from the Trump administration, which has criticized the center for alleged anti-Israel bias. Reports from the Harvard Jewish Alumni Alliance accused CMES of portraying Israel negatively and lacking balance in its discussions. The controversy has raised broader concerns about academic freedom at Harvard, as the university navigates external pressures while attempting to maintain its commitment to scholarly independence. Critics are likening the situation to an academic