Penn Faculty for Justice in Palestine (Penn FJP) is a chapter of the nationwide Faculty for Justice in Palestine Network. Led by Huda Fakhreddine and Sukaina Hirji, it describes itself as a collective of faculty, lecturers, staff, and graduate employees who support the teaching and research mission of UPenn. However, its actions and rhetoric have garnered significant controversy and criticism, particularly regarding its stance on Israel and perceived contributions to antisemitic activity on campus.
Leaders:
- Huda Fakhreddine
- Sukaina Hirji
Affiliated Individuals:
- Anne Norton
- Dagmawi Woubshet
- Patricia Anton
- Eve Troutt Powell
- Chi Ming Yang
Overview:
Penn Faculty for Justice in Palestine (Penn FJP) is a chapter of the nationwide Faculty for Justice in Palestine Network. It describes itself as a collective of faculty, lecturers, staff, and graduate employees who support the teaching and research mission of UPenn. However, its actions and rhetoric have garnered significant controversy, particularly regarding its support for terrorist organizations like Hamas and its contributions to antisemitic activity on campus.
Key Actions and Activities:
- Campus Engagement:
- Organized and participated in events perceived to promote extreme rhetoric related to the Israel-Palestine conflict.
- Played an active role in the May 2024 campus encampments, assisting students and external activists in activities later deemed illegal. These included setting up encampments, conducting antisemitic and terror-supporting speeches, and leading hateful chants.
- Hosting Controversial Speakers:
- Invited speakers like Susan Abulhawa and Noura Erakat, whose speeches have been labeled as antisemitic.
- Social Media Controversies:
- On May 28, 2024, Penn FJP’s Twitter account shared the locations of CCTV cameras on UPenn’s campus, raising security concerns.
- On November 8, 2024, the organization’s Instagram story justified the attack on Jewish soccer fans in Amsterdam.
- Antisemitism Concerns:
- Research from the AMCHA Initiative has linked the presence of FJP chapters to increased antisemitic activity on campuses. Penn FJP was specifically highlighted as a significant contributor to what AMCHA’s report describes as UPenn’s “extreme” level of antisemitic activity.
Boycotts and Faculty Endorsements:
Penn FJP’s faculty members have been prominent endorsers of academic boycotts of Israel. The following faculty have signed publicly accessible statements or petitions supporting these boycotts:
- Ali Karjoo-Ravary
- Ameena Ghaffar-Kucher
- Ania Loomba
- Anne Norton
- Chi-Ming Yang
- Dagmawi Woubshet
- David Eng
- David Kazanjian
- Ericka Beckman
- Fatemeh Shams
- Huda Fakhreddine
- Jamal J. Elias
- Julia Alekseyeva
- Knar Gavin
- Marcia Chatelain
- Melissa Sanchez
- Nancy Bentley
- Sameera Syed
- Sebastián Gil-Riaño
- Sonia Rosen
- S. Pearl Brilmyer
- Sukaina Hirji
- Suvir Kaul
- Zehra Hashmi
External Reports and Findings:
- AMCHA Initiative Report:
- Cited Penn FJP as a major contributor to antisemitic activity on campus. The report highlights their role in fostering a climate of radicalism and division at UPenn.
- Link to full report: AMCHA Initiative Report
- Zionist Faculty Initiative:
- Further details on Penn FJP’s faculty members and their stance on anti-Zionism can be found in the Anti-Zionist Faculty Barometer.
- Link: Zionist Faculty Initiative
Impact:
The formation and activities of Penn FJP have had a polarizing effect on the UPenn campus. While they put up a guise that champions academic freedom and advocates for Palestinian rights, the organization festers hostility and antisemitism. Its alignment with national networks and its influence among faculty have amplified its presence and impact, making it a focal point of campus discourse.
