Chicago Mayoral Appointee Resigns After Backlash Over Tearing Down Israeli Hostage Poster

Chicago Mayoral Appointee Resigns After Backlash Over Tearing Down Israeli Hostage Poster

An appointee to Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s Fiscal Sustainability Working Group, Ishan Daya, resigned just hours after his selection was announced, following criticism over a 2023 video showing him tearing down posters of Israeli hostages. Daya, a community organizer focused on public safety and mental health, was one of 20 appointees to the mayor’s advisory committee tasked with addressing Chicago’s fiscal challenges. However, his appointme…

Director Geert van Meerveld of the knowledge institute KIT (formerly the Royal Tropical Institute) has resigned. Van Meerveld announced this in an internal email, Trouw reports. NRC also reported on Van Meerveld's departure. KIT could not be reached for confirmation. Pro-Palestinian demonstrators had smeared the facade of the KIT in Amsterdam with red paint on Sunday. The Center for Information and Documentation Israel (CIDI) celebrated its 50th…

Interim director Geert van Meerveld is leaving the Royal Tropical Institute (KIT) in Amsterdam. Internally, there was protest last week against a symposium of the pro-Israel lobby group CIDI at the KIT.

KIT director resigns after protest against pro-Israel event

The interim director of KIT, formerly known as the Royal Tropical Institute, Geert van Meerveld, has resigned from his position. A spokesperson of KIT confirmed the news after it had been reported by Trouw and NRC. There was controversy within the institute last week because staff did not agree with the fact that the Center for Information and Documentation Israel (CIDI) celebrated its 50th anniversary in the KIT building on Sunday.

The director of the Royal Tropical Institute (KIT), Geert van Meerveld, is stepping down. This was confirmed by a spokesperson. The spokesperson has not yet provided an explanation as to why. Nevertheless, it is striking timing. Last Sunday, the institute was vandalized by demonstrators and employees indicated that they were 'indignant and disappointed' because KIT hosted a celebration of CIDI. Last Sunday, KIT was the setting for the celebratio…