Huda Fakhreddine, a tenured professor at the University of Pennsylvania, has repeatedly used her academic position to advocate for extremist ideologies, glorify terrorism, and promote antisemitic rhetoric. Her involvement in disruptive campus activism, participation in radical protests, and inflammatory public statements raise serious concerns about her influence on students and her adherence to faculty conduct policies.
Encouraging Campus Disruptions and Violating University Policies
Professors are expected to uphold ethical standards, maintain academic integrity, and foster a safe learning environment. However, Fakhreddine has leveraged her position to actively support lawless demonstrations and campus disruptions.
- Role in Illegal Encampment (April–May 2024): Fakhreddine played a key role in the pro-Palestinian encampment at Penn, which was ultimately dismantled by law enforcement after multiple violations, including unauthorized structures and the presence of concealed weapons. Despite these risks, she publicly misrepresented the protest as “peaceful” and actively encouraged participation. Over 30 individuals were arrested, including faculty members.
- Penn Faculty for Justice in Palestine (PennFJP): As a leader of this group, she has pushed for institutional protection while endorsing divisive activism that jeopardizes student safety and university policies.
Advocacy for Extremist Causes
Fakhreddine has demonstrated a troubling pattern of justifying violence and supporting terrorist organizations.
- October 7, 2023 (Social Media Post): On the day of Hamas’s attack on Israeli civilians, she posted in Arabic:
“While we were asleep, Palestine invented a new way of life.”
This statement was widely interpreted as glorifying the attack, which resulted in the murder of over 1,200 people. - Participation in Radical Rallies: She has been a vocal presence at multiple campus protests, including:
- October 16, 2023 “Walkout for Palestine”: A demonstration where chants such as “When people are occupied, resistance is justified!” were used to endorse violent uprisings.
- October 18, 2023 Protest: A rally that mourned casualties in Gaza while ignoring Hamas’s atrocities. Attendees called for “intifada” and revolution, echoing rhetoric associated with violent uprisings.
- Palestine Writes Literature Festival (September 2023): A controversial event she helped organize, featuring speakers known for antisemitic views, including Roger Waters and Marc Lamont Hill. The festival fueled accusations of fostering hostility toward Jewish students.
Weaponizing Academia for Political Agendas
Fakhreddine has blurred the line between scholarship and activism, using her position to push extremist narratives rather than foster open discourse.
- Encouraging Strikes and Protests: In October 2024, she promoted a “Global Strike for the Resistance,” advocating for campus disruptions in solidarity with Palestinian and Lebanese causes.
- Defense of Encampments: In May 2024, she publicly defended student protesters, disregarding their support for groups linked to terrorism and instead accusing the university of bowing to “outside pressures.”
- Legal Action to Block Transparency: In March 2024, she joined a lawsuit attempting to prevent the University of Pennsylvania from sharing documents with federal investigators examining antisemitic incidents on campus—an apparent attempt to shield activists from scrutiny.
A Supporter of Terror
By repeatedly glorifying violent movements, dismissing university policies, and encouraging hostile activism, Huda Fakhreddine has created an environment of intimidation and division. Her actions violate the core principles of academic integrity, endanger campus safety, and foster hostility against Jewish students. Her continued presence at Penn raises urgent concerns about accountability and the university’s commitment to protecting all students.
