FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BRONX, NY – Over 50 City University of New York professors have resigned from their union in response to a resolution passed by their union, the Professional Staff Congress of CUNY, on June 10, 2021. The resolution condemns Israel, citing the state’s actions during recent conflicts with Palestine. Included in the resolution, the union called Israel an “apartheid” state and considered their support for Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS).

The resolution comes at a time when the Jewish community is facing a sharp rise in anti-Semitic attacks in New York City, and amid backlash to the ice cream company Ben & Jerry’s decision to boycott Israel. 

“I strongly stand with the Professional Staff Congress (PSC-CUNY) members who resigned from their faculy union, following its recent passage of an anti-Semitic resolution,” said Council Member Eric Dinowitz. “The resolution, and its anti-Semitic sentiment, led over 50 members to end their association with an organization meant to protect their rights and fight for better wages and working conditions. This marginalization of members is antithetical to the principles of organized labor, and with their resolution, PSC-CUNY has chosen to side with an internationally recognized terrorist organization rather than the only democracy in the region, a democracy whose coalition legislature includes Arab-Israelis. A one-sided narrative disguised as support for the Palestinian people is offensive, and painfully reminiscent of the historical scapegoating of Jewish people. In my role as Chair of the City Council’s Jewish Caucus, I will work tirelessly to end discrimation towards Jewish New Yorkers and any marginalized communities throughout our city, unaccompanied by bias of any kind.”

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