Richard F. Thomas is a long-standing Harvard professor whose academic work in classical literature contrasts sharply with his increasingly radical political activism. Over the past two decades, Thomas has publicly aligned himself with faculty efforts that defend pro-Palestinian extremism, oppose Jewish student protections, and undermine institutional responses to antisemitism. His participation in these efforts has made him a notable figure in the ideological radicalization of Harvard’s faculty ranks
Richard F. Thomas’ Harmful Activity
Endorsing Anti-Israel Organizing
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January 2024: Signed the FSJP founding statement and a second letter to formally establish its Harvard chapter—a group that has repeatedly justified pro-Hamas rhetoric and minimized Jewish student concerns.
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April 2024: Added his name to a letter accusing Israel of ‘scholasticide’ in Gaza, a term weaponized to suggest that defending Israeli civilians equates to academic genocide.
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November 2023: Signed a Harvard faculty petition criticizing Harvard’s new antisemitism task force, framing it as a threat to “academic freedom,” despite growing threats against Jewish students.
Past History of Controversy
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June 2002: Thomas came under fire for signing a Harvard divestment petition targeting Israel and participating in the committee that chose Zayed Yasin to deliver the 2002 graduation speech initially titled “American Jihad.”
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Despite national backlash, Thomas defended Yasin’s framing of “jihad,” dismissing concerns that the term might glorify violent extremism. Critics viewed this as part of a troubling pattern of academic normalization of radical ideologies.
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Summary
Though Richard F. Thomas is celebrated for his contributions to Classical literature, his political behavior reflects a broader crisis within academia—where prestigious positions are leveraged to shield and promote extreme ideological positions. Thomas has repeatedly aligned himself with movements that distort historical narratives, excuse terrorism, and attack institutional measures aimed at protecting Jewish students. His influence at Harvard has helped legitimize groups that erode academic integrity and embolden anti-Israel and antisemitic campaigns under the banner of scholarly dissent.
