Pulitzer Board Adds Professor With Strong Views on Israel
The board responsible for awarding the prestigious Pulitzer Prizes has a new member, a Harvard professor known for his strong criticism of Israel. Vijay Iyer, a professor of music and African American studies, was recently appointed to the Pulitzer Board, raising concerns about potential bias in the selection of award recipients.
While a press release from the Pulitzer Board highlighted Iyer’s accomplishments as a composer, pianist, and scholar, it omitted his involvement with groups critical of Israeli policies. Iyer’s affiliation with Harvard Faculty and Staff for Justice in Palestine, an organization known for its controversial social media posts, has drawn scrutiny.
Concerns have been raised about some of Iyer’s social media activity. One post from November 2023, sparked a complaint, with critics suggesting it implied negative sentiments toward the Jewish people. The post referenced “the most powerful people on the planet doubling down on their evil, deranged state-sponsored terror.”
Additionally, a song Iyer composed in March 2025, titled “Kite (for Refaat Alareer),” has been met with criticism. The song’s namesake, Refaat Alareer, was a controversial figure known for anti-Israel sentiments.
In May 2024, Iyer publicly supported anti-Israel protests at Harvard, stating that the “youth-led movement” was addressing the critical issue of how to respond to “plausible genocide.” He was seen at the encampment, advocating against any retaliation against the students involved.
During a faculty meeting in May 2025, Iyer reportedly questioned why Harvard wasn’t considering divestment from Israel, further highlighting his stance on the issue.
In November 2023, Iyer signed a letter criticizing Harvard’s response to concerns about antisemitism, arguing against automatically labeling criticism of Israeli government actions as antisemitic.
His activism on the issue dates back several years, with Iyer signing a 2021 statement calling for Harvard to divest from companies involved in what it described as “Israeli colonization, occupation, and war crimes.”
In 2013, Iyer described the Iraq and Afghanistan wars as “racialized,” a perspective that even an NPR host acknowledged as a “leftist perspective” and a “minority view” among military personnel and veterans.
The Pulitzer Board’s decision to appoint Iyer raises questions about the board’s awareness of his activism and whether his strong views on Israel will influence his judgment of journalistic work related to the region. The board, which is self-perpetuating, has faced similar concerns in the past, including criticism over awarding a prize to a writer who used social media to disparage an Israeli hostage.
The selection of Pulitzer Prize winners is a serious responsibility, and it is vital that those making these decisions are unbiased and fair. The appointment of individuals with strong opinions on sensitive issues raises valid questions about the integrity of the process. It remains to be seen how Iyer’s presence on the board will affect the awards, but the concerns surrounding his appointment highlight the need for transparency and impartiality in the selection process.
Ultimately, the hope is that Iyer, and all members of the Pulitzer Board, will approach their responsibilities with a commitment to fairness and objectivity, ensuring that the awards continue to recognize outstanding work in journalism and the arts, regardless of political considerations.
