The Harvard University has dismissed the faculty leaders of the Centre for Middle Eastern Studies following pressure by the Trump administration over alleged anti-Israel bias, the varsity’s student publication The Harvard Crimson and New York Times report.

The CMES’ director, professor of Turkish Studies Cemal Kafadar, and its associate director, History professor Rosie Bsheer, were both forced to leave their posts on Wednesday, according to a faculty member familiar with the situation, The Harvard Crimson stated.

Global Health professor Salmaan A. Keshavjee — the centre’s interim director while Kafadar was on leave — will continue to hold his post.

David Cutler, the interim dean of Social Science, announced in an email on Wednesday obtained by The New York Times that Dr Kafadar would be stepping down from his post at the end of the academic year.

Faculty members who have spoken with both professors say each believe they were forced out of their posts.