Two Harvard University professors are scheduled to participate in a Nov. 12 symposium at Boston University examining Jewish anti-Zionism, an event featuring scholars who have criticized Zionism and challenged aspects of how antisemitism is defined and addressed.

The symposium will launch Jewish Anti-Zionism: A Historical Anthology, edited by Shaul Magid, Harvard Divinity School’s professor of modern Jewish studies in residence, and Zev Mishell, a 2025 graduate of the school.

Jessica Marglin, Harvard’s Jacob E. Safra professor of Jewish history and Sephardic civilization, is scheduled to moderate a panel titled “Jewish Anti-Zionism in History” and participate in another discussion, “Jewish Anti-Zionism Now.”

The event’s keynote speaker is Judith Butler, a University of California, Berkeley professor who has supported an academic and cultural boycott of Israel since at least 2014. Following the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas-led attacks on Israel, Butler described the assault as “not a terrorist attack, not an antisemitic attack,” but rather “an act of armed resistance.”

The anthology’s introduction criticizes what it characterizes as Zionist influence within Jewish institutions and argues that accusations of antisemitism have been used against pro-Palestinian activists. It also challenges the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s working definition of antisemitism, which includes certain forms of anti-Israel expression among examples of antisemitism.

The definition has become part of the broader debate over how universities should distinguish political criticism of Israel from antisemitic conduct. Harvard incorporated the IHRA definition into a January 2025 settlement with Students Against Antisemitism. The agreement also included staff training, annual reporting on discrimination complaints, and additional resources for the study of antisemitism.

Harvard has publicly emphasized its efforts to address antisemitism and anti-Israeli bias, pointing to expanded resources for Hebrew and Judaic studies, new courses, faculty training and a research project on antisemitism.

The university’s task force update also noted that Harvard had extended an offer for a chair in Jewish history and culture and hired a professor of modern Jewish studies in residence. Magid holds the latter position, while Marglin appears on the university’s list of new faculty members for the 2026-27 academic year.

The symposium comes as Harvard remains embroiled in a legal dispute with the Trump administration over federal research funding and allegations of antisemitism on campus.

On Oct. 5, the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals heard arguments in the administration’s appeal of a ruling that restored more than $2.6 billion in research grants to the university. U.S. District Judge Allison Burroughs ruled in September 2025 that the funding cuts unlawfully retaliated against Harvard after it rejected administration demands.

Federal officials argue that the funding dispute belongs before the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, while Harvard maintains that the case involves constitutional protections against retaliation. A separate Justice Department lawsuit alleging antisemitism was dismissed in August, and the administration has appealed that decision.

The university’s approach to reform has also drawn criticism from some scholars. At a Tuesday event marking the 25th anniversary of his book Ivory Towers on Sand, scholar Martin Kramer said he did not see the potential for reform, citing an idea from scholar Ruth Wisse that the focus should instead be on creating alternatives.

The upcoming symposium places Harvard faculty members at the center of a wider debate over Zionism, antisemitism, and academic freedom as the university faces continued scrutiny over its handling of campus tensions and its relationship with the federal government.