Cornell professor on leave after calling Hamas attack 'exhilarating' and 'energizing'

Cornell Professor Russell Rickford, who faced criticism for his remarks about the Hamas terror attack on Israel, is now on a leave of absence until the end of the semester. Rickford described the attack as "exhilarating" and "energizing," but later issued an apology acknowledging that his words were "reprehensible." A petition calling for his termination gained nearly 11,000 signatures. Cornell University confirmed his leave of absence and reassigned his course to another professor.

Oct 25, 2023 - 20:30
Cornell professor on leave after calling Hamas attack 'exhilarating' and 'energizing'
Cornell Professor Russell Rickford, who faced criticism for his remarks about the Hamas terror attack on Israel, is now on a leave of absence until the end of the semester. Rickford described the attack as "exhilarating" and "energizing," but later issued an apology acknowledging that his words were "reprehensible." A petition calling for his termination gained nearly 11,000 signatures. Cornell University confirmed his leave of absence and reassigned his course to another professor.