Norman Finkelstein resigns

By · September 5, 2007

A DePaul University professor who suggested Jews have exploited the Holocaust for political gain has resigned.

Norman Finkelstein quit after the university canceled his only remaining class. Finkelstein and DePaul announced the resignation in a joint statement Wednesday, the day Finkelstein had vowed to present himself at his office and commit an act of civil disobedience if denied entrance. Finkelstein would not disclose the terms of his departure.

Finkelstein had drawn ire for his trenchant criticism of Israel and suggesting that the legacy of the Holocaust has been exploited. Earlier this year Finkelstein was denied tenure at DePaul after a public campaign waged against him by Harvard Professor Alan Dershowitz.

Some see in Finkelstein a courageous truth-teller suppressed for failing to toe the party line.

This week, Finkelstein told supporters it was time to move on “for everybody’s sake,” according to the Associated Press.

“DePaul students rose to dazzling spiritual heights in my defense that should be the envy of and an example for every university in the United States,” Finkelstein said after a rally held on his behalf.