Even outgoing Education Minister Gouke Moes got involved in his employment. Now the controversial assistant professor Harry Pettit is leaving Radboud University Nijmegen.
Pettit has for some time been posting radical tweets about Israel and the war in Gaza. For instance, he wrote that it was time to ‘finish what the Palestinians started on 7 October’. He compared Zionism to Nazism, expressed support for the Palestinian armed resistance and argued that the state of Israel should cease to exist.
Last month, nearly 21,000 people signed a petition against him. Outgoing Education Minister Gouke Moes (BBB) even threatened to intervene if the university itself failed to act against the lecturer. Pettit, in turn, filed a police report against the minister.
Departure arrangement
Now Pettit is leaving of his own accord, he announced on X. Last summer, he was awarded a European research grant. These grants are personal, meaning he can take the funding with him to another university.
It is not stated where he will go. He has reached a departure arrangement with Radboud University Nijmegen, and says he will donate the money to charities supporting the liberation of Palestine.
According to him, the university’s Executive Board threatened him with dismissal if he did not moderate his tone. He calls it absurd that the university wants to silence people who speak out against Israel, ‘while Palestinians are being killed every day’.
Response
Radboud University has issued only a brief statement. “After an intensive process lasting several months, Mr Pettit and Radboud University have agreed to part ways”, the spokesperson said. “Radboud University believes that he has made statements that are not in line with the university’s code of conduct. Mr Pettit takes a different view.”
In an interview with the university magazine Vox, Pettit said he looks back on his time at Radboud University with mixed feelings. “I feel both relief and pride, as well as sadness. I regret leaving my colleagues and inspiring students behind. But I could no longer accept working at a place where voices opposing Zionism and genocide are being silenced.”
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