Penn Faculty for Justice in Palestine takes legal action to halt federal investigation into campus anti-Semitism
Professor Huda Fakhreddine (@arablit/Twitter)
A University of Pennsylvania professor who openly supported Hamas’s terrorist attack on Israel is suing the university in an effort to prevent a federal investigation into its handling of anti-Semitism on campus.
Huda Fakhreddine, an associate professor of Arabic literature at Penn’s Middle East Center, filed a lawsuit against the university on Saturday. The lawsuit accuses Penn of suppressing anti-Israel speech and aims to stop the transfer of university documents to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce. Rep. Virginia Foxx (R., N.C.), the committee’s chairwoman, had requested Penn’s internal discussions regarding anti-Semitic incidents on campus in January.
Penn has been cooperating with the request and started submitting documents to the committee last month. However, Fakhreddine, a vocal critic of Israel who praised “Palestine” for “inventing a new way of life” during the Oct. 7 attack, wants the university to cease cooperation, citing privacy concerns.
The lawsuit states, “Penn’s ongoing cooperation with the Committee and disclosure of private and confidential information about the plaintiffs poses a threat of irreparable harm, including death threats, rape threats, and hate speech.”
Attorneys familiar with the case dismissed its merits, stating that Fakhreddine has no grounds against the university. They emphasized that the privacy argument in the lawsuit does not apply to students and faculty members who use university-owned emails.
Neither Penn nor Fakhreddine responded to requests for comment. Fakhreddine, who joined the university in 2014, is known for her inflammatory rhetoric against Israel on campus.
On Oct. 7, she praised Hamas’s terror attack, stating in a social media post, “While we were asleep, Palestine invented a new way of life.” She later justified the attack as a “legal armed struggle by the Palestinian resistance against the occupier” under international law. She also participated in anti-Israel protests on campus, even cheering for a speaker who claimed that all Israelis are “legitimate military targets.”
Prior to Oct. 7, Fakhreddine was one of the faculty organizers of the Palestine Writes Literature Festival, which invited prominent anti-Semites to campus.
One participant, Pink Floyd frontman Roger Waters, wore Nazi regalia during a concert in Germany, blamed the Jewish state for George Floyd’s death, and downplayed Hamas’s Oct. 7 attack by accusing Israel of “fabricating stories.” Others have compared Israel to the Nazis, claimed that “most Jews” are “evil,” and held Jews responsible for Europe’s economic downfall.
Fakhreddine currently teaches a course at Penn titled “Arabic Readings in Belles-Lettres: Resistance from Pre-Islamic Arabia to Palestine.” She is joined in the lawsuit by Eve M. Troutt Powell, a professor of Middle Eastern history at Penn.
What concerns have been raised by the public endorsement of a terrorist attack by a university professor, and how does it impact the campus community?
An Instagram post, “What excellent news! May Palestine invent new ways of life, resist subjugation, resist colonialism by any means necessary!” The post also featured a photo of the attackers with the caption ”Power to the Resistance.”
This public endorsement of a terrorist attack by a university professor has sparked controversy and concern among students, alumni, and the wider community. Many argue that such rhetoric promotes hatred and violence, undermines the university’s commitment to fostering diversity and inclusivity, and perpetuates a hostile environment for Jewish students on campus.
Given the seriousness of the situation, it is understandable that Rep. Foxx and the House Committee on Education and the Workforce are seeking to investigate Penn’s handling of anti-Semitism. It is crucial to ensure that universities are taking appropriate measures to address incidents of hate and discrimination, and to protect the well-being and safety of students.
However, Fakhreddine’s lawsuit against the university raises important questions about the balance between protecting privacy rights and addressing concerns about campus anti-Semitic incidents. While privacy is a fundamental right, it should not be used as a shield to prevent transparency and accountability in cases involving potential threats to student safety and well-being.
Furthermore, Fakhreddine’s claim of ”irreparable harm, including death threats, rape threats, and hate speech” needs to be assessed critically. While it is essential to take any threats or harassment seriously, it is also important to distinguish between genuine risks and mere speculation or exaggeration. The university should thoroughly investigate these claims to determine their validity.
Ultimately, it is essential for universities to strike a balance between protecting privacy rights and ensuring the safety and well-being of their students. Open dialogue and constructive engagement should be encouraged, but hate speech and incitement to violence cannot be tolerated. Universities have a responsibility to create an inclusive and respectful environment for all students, regardless of their background or beliefs.
In this particular case, Penn must demonstrate its commitment to addressing anti-Semitism and fostering a safe campus environment for all students. Cooperating with the federal investigation and providing relevant documents is an important step towards transparency and accountability.
At the same time, it is crucial for the university to reassess its policies and procedures regarding hate speech and incitement on campus. Strict guidelines should be in place to ensure that faculty members, as well as students, adhere to principles of respect, tolerance, and non-violence.
In conclusion, the lawsuit filed by Huda Fakhreddine against the University of Pennsylvania raises important questions about privacy rights and the university’s responsibility to address campus anti-Semitism. While privacy is crucial, it should not hinder transparency and accountability when addressing issues that affect student safety and well-being. It is essential for universities to strike a balance between protecting privacy and fostering a safe and inclusive environment for all students. Penn must take this opportunity to demonstrate its commitment to addressing anti-Semitism and promoting a culture of respect and inclusivity on campus.
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