Harvard Education Review cancels entire journal issue on Palestine shortly before publication : Alice Speri / The Guardian

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Summary
In early June 2025, Harvard Education Publishing Group abruptly cancelled a nearly completed “Education and Palestine” issue of the Harvard Educational Review—just weeks before publication.

The special issue, planned since 2024 amid the Gaza conflict, featured a dozen peer‑reviewed research articles by international scholars on topics ranging from the destruction of Palestinian schools and the concept of “scholasticide,” to teaching about Palestine in U.S. universities Harvard University+8The Guardian+8Democratic Underground+8Democratic Underground+1Wikipedia+1.

Despite contracts signed and editorial promotion underway, the publisher reversed course on June 9, citing “editorial concerns,” incomplete reviews, and copy‑editing issues The Guardian. Editors and contributors contested these reasons, alleging external pressure, legal review delays, and fears of antisemitism claims—framing the cancellation as an instance of the so‑called “Palestine exception” in academia Harvard University+11The Guardian+11Wikipedia+11.

The decision sparked strong academic backlash. Harvard’s chapter of the American Association of University Professors labeled it a violation of academic freedom. Authors are now seeking alternative outlets. The episode highlights intensifying tensions over speech, national politics, and scholarly independence on Palestine in U.S. higher education The Guardian.

Quotes

“It is a deep loss that your work will not appear in the pages of [Harvard Educational Review] as we intended – for HER, for the field of education, and for social justice.” Democratic Underground+5The Guardian+5Wikipedia+5

“To us, it sounded like a textbook example of the killing of speech and academic inquiry related to Palestine.” Democratic Underground+3The Guardian+3Wikipedia+3