Story perspectives

Minnesota Pays $250K Settlement After Pro-Israel Lobby Pulls Holocaust Director

8/9/2026

Summary

Story summary

The University of Minnesota paid $250,000 to Raz Segal to settle his claims after withdrawing his June 2024 appointment as director of Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies.
A pro-Israel lobbying campaign prompted the withdrawal, causing two advisory-board members to resign and donors to threaten funding cuts.
Faculty, 40 Holocaust scholars and the American Association of University Professors condemned the rescission and called for reinstatement, while the settlement statement denied liability.

History

Historical Context

In 1995 UC Berkeley cancelled an Israel Studies program after AIPAC-backed donors threatened to pull $1.2 million, sparking a 45-faculty protest and a 30-2 senate vote against the appointment. The case anticipates the 2023-24 campus protests following the Gaza war and the 2024 University of Minnesota $250,000 settlement over a forced Holocaust-studies withdrawal, prompting the AAUP to demand safeguards for academic freedom.

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Story summary

The University of Minnesota paid $250,000 to Raz Segal to settle his claims after withdrawing his June 2024 appointment as director of Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies.
A pro-Israel lobbying campaign prompted the withdrawal, causing two advisory-board members to resign and donors to threaten funding cuts.
Faculty, 40 Holocaust scholars and the American Association of University Professors condemned the rescission and called for reinstatement, while the settlement statement denied liability.

1 / 2