Signatories include initiator Milos Boksan, spokesperson for a group of Jewish students at the university, writer Lale Gül, former politicians Gert-Jan Segers, Ronald Plasterk, Uri Rosenthal and Rob Oudkerk and Telegraaf columnists Bart Nijman, Nausicaa Marbe and Roderick Veelo.
In the letter they write that ‘academic freedom is a great asset, but should not be abused to justify hatred, discrimination or violence’. This refers to statements by Pettit, such as saying that it is time to “finish what the Palestinians started on October 7” and for “a new round of resistance that would eradicate ‘Israel’ once and for all.”
Furthermore, the Board of Besutur of Radboud University is called upon to ‘publicly distance itself from the statements mentioned’ and to report Pettit for a ‘possible violation of the Criminal Code’. The signatories also want the teacher to be temporarily suspended during a possible investigation.
Previous open letter against Harry Pettit
In an earlier open letter, 151 students, professors, employees and former students of Radboud University also called on the university board to press charges against Pettit. They also wanted the Executive Board to take action against the pro-Palestinian social geography lecturer himself under employment law because of his statements that ‘condoned violence and stirred up hatred’.
Students and professors are calling on Radboud University to report ‘hate teacher’ Harry Pettit
In a response by email, Pettit said that he also has a letter with support ‘from 500 students and employees’ for a speech he recently gave about Palestine. This involved exactly 491 expressions of support, of which approximately 200 from Radboud students and employees.