VUB withdraws appointment of controversial British researcher

The Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) has withdrawn the planned appointment of controversial British researcher Harry Pettit, the university announced in a press release on Sunday evening.

Belgian media outlets Bruzz and De Morgen reported on a series of striking social media statements made by Pettit, who had been due to begin work at the VUB this summer.

In past posts, he defended the Iranian regime and compared the slain Ayatollah Khamenei to the Pope. He also described the Hamas attacks of 7 October 2023 in Israel as "a legitimate act of resistance" that was "in some respects brilliant" in a message published on X.

According to the VUB, Pettit’s recent statements breach the agreements made with him regarding his appointment. “The VUB stands for freedom of expression, even when it concerns controversial views. But statements that incite hatred or violence not only cross legal boundaries, but also the norms and values that apply within the VUB academic community,” the university said.

Pettit was previously forced to leave Radboud University in the Netherlands following criticism of his pro-Palestinian and anti-Israel activism, which led to accusations of antisemitism and calls for violence.

^{​Demonstration at Radboud University after the forced departure of lecturer Harry Pettit, November 2025. ​
​© PHOTO RIAS IMMINK / HOLLANDSE HOOGTE / ANP}