Contents
In March 2019, pro-Israel activists criticized the group for making a photo of Leila Khaled the profile photo of its Facebook page. Khaled was a member of the Marxist-Leninist Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) who was involved in committing aircraft hijackings in the late 1960s and early 1970s. 2
Background
The Cornell Collective for Justice in Palestine is a pro-Palestinian group formed by Cornell University faculty, staff, and graduate students that advocate for Palestinian nationalism. Cornell Creative writing professor Darlene Evans founded the group. 3
The group collaborates with the Cornell University chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP), which consists of undergraduate students. 1
Activities
April 2018 March For Gaza
In April 2018, the Cornell Collective for Justice in Palestine held a demonstration on the Cornell College campus, claiming it was protesting the State of Israel as well as demanding an end to U.S. foreign aid to Israel. 3
Cornell professor Darlene Evans, the founder of the group, was interviewed by the Cornell Daily Sun, where he claimed “you don’t have to know about what’s going on in Palestine to join students for peace and to stand in solidarity with Palestine.” 4
Immigration Advocacy
In November 2018, the Cornell Collective for Justice in Palestine promoted a local event on its Facebook Page, “Organizing Resistance Under Fire, For The Right To Stay” that promoted left-of-center immigration policies such as ending the deportation of illegal immigrants. 5
Alleged Support for Terrorism
In March 2019, pro-Israel activist group CAMERA on Campus accused the Cornell Collective for Justice in Palestine group of promoting Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) propaganda on campus by making their Facebook group profile an image of PFLP member Leila Khaled whom had been involved in airplane hijackings during the late 1960s and early 1970s. This came before a vote by the Cornell Student Assembly on a resolution to support the Anti-Israeli Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement. 2
Responding to Cornell President’s Denouncement of Antisemitism
In June 2021, Cornell Collective for Justice in Palestine member Eric Cheyfitz released a statement attacking Cornell University president Martha Pollack following a public announcement by Pollack condemning a rise in antisemitism on the campus. In his own statement, Cheyfitz claimed, “the effect of your statement is to equate antisemitism with Palestinian self-defense against and resistance to Israeli apartheid, a self-defense and resistance that many Cornellians support.” 6
Response To October 7, 2023 Terror Attacks
Following the Hamas terror attacks against the State of Israel on October 7, 2023, the Cornell Collective for Justice in Palestine released a letter claiming to support “Palestinian human rights, sovereignty, liberation, and the right to resist.” The letter further the state of Israel for launching a “genocidal ground invasion of Gaza.” 1
Support for Russell Rickford
In October 2023, following the Hamas terror attacks against the State of Israel, Cornell University professor Russell Rickford spoke at a pro-Palestinian rally where he claimed he was “exhilarated” and “energized” by the attacks. Professor Rickford would later be placed on leave, while the Cornell Collective for Justice in Palestine released a statement in support of Rickford which received over 1,300 signatures. 7
Support for Momodou Taal
In September 2024, the Cornell Collective for Justice in Palestine organized a petition drive opposing the suspension of international student Momodou Taal. Taal had previously attempted to shut down a career fair on campus that featured defense contractors Boeing and L3Harris. 8
Leadership
The Cornell Collective for Justice in Palestine was founded by Cornell creative writing professor Darlene Evans. 3