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UMN Withdraws Historian Offer After Gaza Genocide Op-Ed

8/6/2026

Summary

Story summary

University of Minnesota withdrew the June 5 2024 offer to historian Raz Segal after backlash over his October 2023 op-ed labeling Israel’s Gaza actions a genocide.
Professors Karen Painter and Bruno Chaouat resigned on June 7 2024, saying Segal justified Hamas atrocities.
A communications staffer warned UMN colleagues on June 8 2024 that defending Segal could be risky, prompting a faculty no-confidence vote.
Segal settled for $250,000 with UMN in 2026, and the UMN post remains unfilled.

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Story summary

University of Minnesota withdrew the June 5 2024 offer to historian Raz Segal after backlash over his October 2023 op-ed labeling Israel’s Gaza actions a genocide.
Professors Karen Painter and Bruno Chaouat resigned on June 7 2024, saying Segal justified Hamas atrocities.
A communications staffer warned UMN colleagues on June 8 2024 that defending Segal could be risky, prompting a faculty no-confidence vote.
Segal settled for $250,000 with UMN in 2026, and the UMN post remains unfilled.