University of Michigan professor hijacks commencement to praise pro-Palestinian activists, igniting fury over campus bias against Israel and threats to Jewish students’ safety.
Story Snapshot
- History professor Derek R. Peterson deviated from approved script at U-M’s spring commencement on May 2-3, 2026, lauding pro-Palestinian activists for highlighting “injustice and inhumanity of Israel’s war in Gaza.”
- University President Domenico Grasso apologized swiftly, labeling remarks “hurtful and insensitive,” while removing the full video from official channels.
- Over 1,100 faculty, staff, and students signed a letter demanding Grasso retract his apology, defending Peterson’s free speech.
- Republican regent candidates Michael Schostak and Lena Epstein condemned the speech as anti-Israel rhetoric, calling for sanctions amid tenure protections.
Speech Ignites Immediate Backlash
Derek R. Peterson, outgoing Faculty Senate Chair and tenured history professor, delivered a 5½-minute address at University of Michigan’s Ann Arbor commencement, the world’s largest single-campus event with about 10,000 graduates. He praised historical student activism, from 1870s women’s admission fights to recent pro-Palestinian efforts. Peterson credited these activists with “opening our hearts to the injustice and inhumanity of Israel’s war in Gaza.” Students cheered; boos followed from leadership and pro-Israel attendees. The university pulled the full video that day.
President Apologizes Amid Stakeholder Clashes
On May 4, 2026, U-M President Domenico Grasso issued a statement disavowing Peterson’s comments as not representing the university’s position. Grasso vowed a review of future commencement programming to ensure inclusivity. Michigan ADL Director Elyssa Schmier called the speech “inappropriate and divisive” for Jewish students. Republican Regent Sarah Hubbard deemed it troubling, planning regent discussions. Candidates Schostak and Epstein labeled it an “attack on Israel,” demanding unpaid leave despite tenure barriers.
Faculty Counteroffensive Defends Activism
By May 5, over 1,100 faculty, staff, and students signed an open letter urging Grasso to retract his apology. Signatories argued the president’s response inflicted greater harm on Gaza-affected communities and undermined free speech at a public university. Peterson, posting his full speech online, expressed mystification at the criticism. He framed activism as a core “vocation” for public good, linking it to U-M’s history of Jewish inclusion like Moritz Levi in 1896 and anti-Vietnam protests. No sanctions emerged as faculty pushback intensified.
Broader Campus Divisions Exposed
This clash mirrors post-2024 U-M protests demanding divestment from Israel-linked investments, which led to arrests and disruptions. Peterson’s remarks tie recent Gaza-focused activism to historical justice movements, softening overt partisanship per observers. Yet pro-Israel groups see exclusion of Jewish students amid national antisemitism debates. Short-term, expect regent scrutiny and tighter speaker controls, chilling discourse. Long-term, it tests tenure limits and free speech in higher education, fueling 2026 regent races under Republican-led federal oversight.
Professor's speech praising pro-Palestinian students sparks backlash at University of Michigan https://t.co/lYqijoOTLL
— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) May 5, 2026
Sources:
U-M faculty slam president’s apology for faculty leader’s commencement speech (Bridge Michigan)
