The University of Southern California has dismissed a harassment case filed against John Strauss, a Jewish professor who got into an altercation with pro-Palestinian protesters last fall. teahourE Los Angeles Times It has been reported.
The incident came to light during a campus protest last November, when Strauss got into a heated exchange with students expressing support for Palestine. He said, “Hamas is a murderer. That's it… “He needs to kill them all, and he wants them all to die,” he said. Activists shared a short version of the video clip on social media, but the lack of context made it seem like Strauss was calling for the death of all Palestinians.
The video went viral and Strauss was temporarily banned from campus.
After the incident made national news, USC quickly allowed Strauss to return to campus, but he was subject to a lengthy discrimination and harassment investigation following complaints filed by student protesters. Now, USC has dismissed the complaint and closed the case.
“I felt relieved.” Strauss said. LA Times. “As far as I’m concerned, I’m completely acquitted, they’re not doing anything to punish me, and it’s all over.”
“I hope these results serve as a reminder to colleges and universities across the country that professors have the right to free speech both inside and outside the classroom,” Strauss added. “I’m so glad we can put this incident behind us.”
The Academic Freedom Alliance, a nonprofit professor advocacy group, first announced the layoffs. When asked for confirmation, a university spokesperson declined to comment, saying it was against investigative policy.
“USC takes claims of harassment and discrimination seriously,” the statement said. “Because personnel information is confidential, we cannot discuss individual cases.”