Yale’s Deputy Director of Project Barred from Campus, Accused of Ties to Sanctioned Group
Background
Helyeh Doutaghi, a scholar in international law, started her new job as the deputy director of a project at Yale Law School in 2023. As an activist who had championed pro-Palestinian causes in both published papers and public appearances, Dr. Doutaghi seemed to fit into the left-leaning mission of the Law and Political Economy Project, which promoted itself as working for "economic, racial, and gender equality."
Accusations and Consequences
Last week, she was abruptly barred from Yale’s campus in New Haven, Conn., and placed on administrative leave. Yale officials cited the reason as allegations that she was tied to entities subject to U.S. sanctions. It was an apparent reference to Samidoun, a pro-Palestinian group placed on the U.S. sanctions list last year, after the Treasury Department designated it a "sham charity" raising money for a terrorist organization, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine.
Controversy Surrounding Jewish Onliner
The decision came three days after a news site, powered at least in part by artificial intelligence, published a story about Dr. Doutaghi’s connections to the group. The news site called her a member of a terrorist group, citing postings referring to appearances she made on panels at Samidoun-sponsored events, but a lawyer for Dr. Doutaghi said she is not a member of Samidoun, a global organization that sponsors meetings and protests supporting Palestinian causes.
Dr. Doutaghi’s Response
In an interview, Dr. Doutaghi, 30, called herself a "loud and proud" supporter of Palestinian rights. "I am a scholar," she said, adding, "I am not a member of any organization that would constitute a violation of U.S. law."
Yale’s Statement
In a statement, Yale Law School described the allegations against Dr. Doutaghi as reflecting "potential unlawful conduct." The school said it had opened an investigation into the matter to ascertain the facts and that the action was not taken based on her protected speech.
Conclusion
The swift action against Dr. Doutaghi illustrates the tightrope American universities are walking as the Trump administration takes aim at higher education. The incident has raised concerns about the impact of U.S. sanctions on academic freedom and the potential for political bias in the investigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is Samidoun?
A: Samidoun is a pro-Palestinian group placed on the U.S. sanctions list last year, after the Treasury Department designated it a "sham charity" raising money for a terrorist organization, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine.
Q: Is Dr. Doutaghi a member of Samidoun?
A: No, according to her lawyer, Dr. Doutaghi is not a member of Samidoun.
Q: What is the Law and Political Economy Project?
A: The Law and Political Economy Project is a project at Yale Law School that promotes itself as working for "economic, racial, and gender equality."
Q: Why was Dr. Doutaghi barred from campus?
A: Yale officials cited allegations that she was tied to entities subject to U.S. sanctions, specifically Samidoun.
