A University of Miami professor has apologized for donning a “Palestinian sash” in her classroom, saying she is “not an antisemite.”
Rachida Primov, who teaches French, offered the apology late last month noting she wanted “to show compassion and support for all civilian victims of this terrible war — both Palestinian and Israeli,” The Miami Hurricane reports.
“I love all our students and the University community and would never intentionally do anything to disrupt or harm our learning environment or make any student uncomfortable,” Primov said in a statement posted to UM’s Instagram page.
The post also said UM “will continue to swiftly address any instances that are not in keeping with our policies and our core values of respect, open mindedness, and care …”
University policy notes staff members’ “expression of political opinions is acceptable,” but it must be done in an “individual capacity” and would not “imply the University’s endorsement of the views.”
A photo of Primov (pictured) in the sash was posted to social media where it quickly went viral.
“Nothing says ‘Bienvenue!’ like walking into your first day of French class at @univmiami and seeing Professor Rachida Primov wrapped in a Palestinian keffiyeh scarf. How are Jewish students supposed to feel welcome?” the X account StopAntisemitism wrote.
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UM Hillel President Betty Srour said Primov garbed in the sash made students “uncomfortable” and “hinder[ed] their ability to learn.” A Jewish UM sophomore added that “French class is not the place to bring politics into the classroom.”
But the student group ‘Canes for Palestine blasted the university, saying that making Primov apologize was “unacceptable and exemplifies the excessive restrictions on free expression that students and faculty face on campus.”
On its Instagram account, ‘Canes for Palestine wrote “freedom of speech aside, we as humans have a moral obligation to stand against genocide regardless of the identity of its victims.”
The group also chided UM for “doxxing” the professor by “posting [her] personal information for all the University to see.”
Its post concluded by demanding UM condemn the “death and destruction” in Gaza, and called upon “all students and faculty” to wear a “kuffiyeh [sic], shawl or anything Palestine related” to show support for Primov.
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IMAGE: Rick Stevens/X
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