Aria Fani, an associate professor at the University of Washington's Jackson School of International Studies, has been dismissed as director of the university's Middle East Center after sending emails that criticised US and Israeli actions in Iran and described Zionism as 'cancerous'. Fani remains a professor but is currently on medical leave.
The university confirmed that Daniel Hoffman, the school's director, informed Fani of his removal last week. A statement from the university said Fani is still employed as a professor but declined to discuss specifics, citing employee privacy. The Middle East Center's administrative duties will be covered by Hoffman in the coming months.
Fani's case is one of at least three recent incidents where US faculty members faced suspension or dismissal after voicing opposition to US-Israeli policies in the Middle East. In a separate case, Texas State University terminated philosophy professor Idris Robinson after an off-campus talk about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict led to a fight. Robinson has filed a lawsuit claiming the university violated his constitutional rights.
At the University of Arkansas, Shirin Saeidi, former head of the Center for Middle East Studies, was formally dismissed after allegedly expressing support for the Iranian regime and making anti-Israel statements. Her termination proceeded despite a faculty committee's unanimous recommendation to retain her. The Middle East Studies Association has denounced her removal.
These dismissals come amid a broader crackdown on pro-Palestinian speech on US campuses since October 2023, a trend that has accelerated since Donald Trump returned to power. Arab and Muslim faculty have been particularly affected.
