Oberlin College Has More Questions to Answer

Mohammad Jafar Mahallati

It seems that when it comes to anti-Semitism, tiny Oberlin College in Ohio is a major university. We have reported on problems at Oberlin for several years, largely thanks to Jew-hating professor Joy Karega. 

But Karega is not the only problem for Jewish students at Oberlin. The pro-Palestinian movement is alive and well on campus with their usual despicable methods of operation.

Now we have another professor at Oberlin who is under scrutiny for remarks he made as Iran’s ambassador to the UN back in the 1980s when he called for Israel’s destruction and defended abuses by the Iranian regime including the persecution of the Baha’i religious minority.

His name is Mohammad Jafar Mahallati, and critics are asking for him to explain his past remarks. Here is his official Oberlin bio page. It includes a 4-1/2 minute video of him talking about friendship and peace. It tells me nothing other than he makes a brief and vague reference to the evolution of his thinking. 

Let’s be fair here. These are remarks he made 30 years ago. The questions I have are whether he has, in effect, defected from Iran. I mean how does their former ambassador to the UN become a professor in a US college unless he has broken from the regime? Has he become an American citizen? Also important is whether he still believes what he said 30 years ago and whether he is propagating that today on campus. 

That is not to question his freedom of speech or demand that he be terminated. I have jumped to the defense of many conservative/pro-Israel professors who are under fire for their beliefs. I’m just saying, I have questions about this man, and I would like to hear his explanation if any. Does he still stand by the present Islamic regime, and/or stand by his previous calls for the destruction of Israel? If so, we must make a record of that and question the values of Oberlin College, which is already in the spotlight when it comes to a hostile atmosphere for Jewish students. Perhaps, most importantly, what are his present ties to Iran’s government, and is he still a supporter of what is a terrorist regime?