Washington - "Jerusalem" dot com - Saeed Erekat - A group of Palestinian alumni demanded the dean of the prestigious Harvard Kennedy School (HKS), Douglas Elmendorf to resign, after the university's dean declined last week to cancel the appointment of Kenneth Roth, former president Human Rights Watch, because of his criticism in the past of the practices of the Israeli occupation authorities against the Palestinians.

Last summer, Harvard University-Kennedy College canceled a fellowship it had offered to prominent human rights activist Kenneth Roth, according to what Roth said, because his organization had previously criticized Israeli abusive practices against Palestinians.

Roth said he was not told a reason but believed it was due to his and his group's criticism of Israel, and that it was unclear why it took six months for the decision to become public, although The Nation magazine reported on the issue last week.

The son of Jewish refugees from Nazi Germany, Roth says his work has made him many enemies around the world.

"The recent decision by Dean Douglas Elmendorf to cancel Kenneth Roth's appointment to Harvard's Kennedy School is deeply wrong and shows his hostility to academic freedom and honest human rights discourse," says the Palestinian alumni statement, a copy of which was received by Al-Quds.com.

The statement accused Dean Elmendorf of abandoning his academic and moral responsibility towards society and the principles upon which free thought is based in a free society, saying, "As the body that represents the Palestinian alumni of the Kennedy School (HKS), we call on Dean Douglas Elmendorf to resign." .

"Kennedy-Harvard is dear to all of us. However, our collective experiences with institutionalized discrimination against Palestinians at HKS included the administration's support for Israeli state-sponsored violence and apartheid. We are deeply alarmed by this continued support," the statement says.

“It is outrageous that Dean Elmendorf's decision to withdraw Roth's fellowship appointment at the Carr Center for Human Rights was due to Roth's criticism of Israel's mistreatment of Palestinians. We have followed news coverage in Inside Higher Education, The Nation magazine and "The Crimson (affiliated with Harvard University) and the Guardian, as we read Roth's public statement and the positive feedback from organizations such as the American Civil Liberties Union and PEN America in Defense of Academic Freedom, all make clear the motive for rescinding Roth's appointment."

The statement denounces Brigadier General Douglas Elmendorf, saying: “The various standards applied by Brigadier General Dean Elmendorf are noteworthy in that while he was revoking Roth’s appointment, the brigadier general chose to host Israeli officials who bear responsibility for war crimes committed against the Palestinians, including the crime of apartheid, which is a crime against humanity.” According to reports issued by Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, and Palestinian and Israeli human rights organizations that document the reality of Israeli apartheid.

The statement notes that in light of the pro-Israel campaigns against Kenneth Roth's advocacy of human rights, "it is important to note that Roth is a prominent and respected global civil society leader. He has dedicated his career to exposing human rights abuses around the world, and has been banned from countries, including In that China and Russia, for his work in those countries."

It is noteworthy that Eric Goldstein, deputy director of the Middle East and North Africa division at Human Rights Watch, commented on Elmendorf's decision by saying, "If Harvard University feels that it has the authority to block a candidate like the famous and world-famous Ken Roth because of criticism of Israel, then imagine the horrific impact across academia." At least famous and fortunate, especially the Palestinians, who criticize Israel."

The statement demands: "We call on Kennedy School-Harvard to appoint a new dean who is truly committed to academic freedom. We also call for the reinstatement of the Kenneth Roth Fellowship at the Carr Center for Human Rights."

The statement concludes by welcoming “the invaluable contributions of human rights advocates, progressive Jewish civil society leaders, and other voices committed to the humanity of the Palestinian people. We have supported the outpouring of solidarity from members of the Harvard community and beyond, and hope that HKS will become a more welcoming institution for Palestinians and those who stand with us in our struggle than For the sake of liberation from occupation and colonialism, we look forward to the day when defending our rights and freedom will be a reason for recognition and praise, not punishment.”