David Kazanjian, a professor of English and Comparative Literature at the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn), has aligned himself with campaigns and events that have promoted antisemitism and created hostility on campus. His endorsements and public positions have raised serious concerns about his role in normalizing extremist rhetoric in academia.
Endorsing Antisemitic Campaigns
Kazanjian is a signatory to the U.S. Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (USACBI), an organization affiliated with Faculty for Justice in Palestine. Faculty for Justice in Palestine has been widely recognized as a major contributor to antisemitism on U.S. campuses. USACBI itself has shown support for Charlotte Kates, the international coordinator of Samidoun, a designated terror organization. By attaching his name to such initiatives, Kazanjian has provided legitimacy to movements that spread antisemitic narratives and inflame campus divisions.
Supporting the Palestine Writes Festival
In September 2023, Kazanjian signed an open letter by UPenn faculty members endorsing the Palestine Writes Festival, which was criticized for hosting antisemitic speakers. Among them were Roger Waters and Susan Abulhawa, both accused of promoting conspiracy theories and antisemitic rhetoric. By supporting the festival, Kazanjian helped enable an event that was condemned for giving a platform to figures who demonize Jews and glorify extremism.
Promoting a Hostile Campus Climate
Through his actions, Kazanjian has aligned himself with organizations and events that have amplified antisemitism and targeted Jewish students. His repeated endorsements of groups and platforms tied to extremist rhetoric reveal a pattern of behavior that undermines campus safety and fosters a hostile environment.
Conclusion
David Kazanjian’s record demonstrates a consistent willingness to support initiatives that legitimize antisemitism under the guise of scholarship and activism. By backing groups like USACBI and events such as the Palestine Writes Festival, he has contributed to a campus climate of intimidation and division, raising concerns about the protection of Jewish students at UPenn.
