Professor Sang Hea Kil; Image via Social Media
Professor Sang Hea Kil, a tenured Justice Studies professor at San José State University (SJSU), became widely known for her involvement in pro‑Palestinian campus protests. She was fired in 2025 after the university determined she had violated campus and CSU policies during several protest‑related incidents. In June 2026, however, an arbitrator ruled that her termination was excessive, ordering SJSU to reinstate her with back pay and reduce the penalty to a one‑month unpaid suspension.
Prof. Kil is an Asian American with no roots or affiliation to the Middle East. She is also known for her work with the California Faculty Association (CFA), where she serves as co‑chair of its Palestine, Arab, and Muslim Caucus. She has long been active in student advocacy, labor organizing, and pro‑Palestinian activism across CSU campuses. Like many Americans, Prof. Kil has not shied away from speaking out against injustice — most notably the genocide in Gaza and the plight of the Palestinian people.
Why Was She Fired From SJSU?
- She participated in three pro‑Palestinian campus protests in 2024–2025.
- SJSU concluded she had violated university and CSU policies during these events.
- Specific incidents cited included:
- Participation in a May 2024 Gaza‑solidarity campus encampment.
- The university fired her in November 2025, making her one of the first tenured U.S. professors dismissed over Gaza‑related protests.
What Happened After She Was Fired?
The California Faculty Association represented her in a nearly two‑year appeal.
In June 2026, an arbitrator ruled that:
- Her firing was “excessive and disproportionate.”
- She must be reinstated as a tenured professor.
- She should receive full back pay.
- The appropriate penalty was a one‑month unpaid suspension, not termination.
Kil and the CFA described the ruling as a victory for academic freedom and pro‑Palestinian speech on campus.
Would Someone Who Supported the Israeli Genocide Also Be Disciplined?
This raises an important question: Would someone who supported the Israeli genocide face similar discipline? The short answer is no.
- In January 2024, demonstrators at Columbia University were attacked with what they believed to be a chemical‑based weapon during a pro‑Palestinian gathering. No one was arrested, and no one was fired.
- In Toronto, pro‑Palestinian activists were subjected to two attacks with noxious substances within just over two weeks, according to the Toronto Police Service (TPS) and the National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM). The perpetrators received little more than a slap on the wrist.
- At UCLA, students and faculty involved in pro‑Palestinian protests were assaulted with fireworks, pepper spray, and metal rods during an overnight attack in 2024. The university took no meaningful action. As a result, pro‑Palestinian protesters sued UCLA over the violent attack on their encampment (source: Courthouse News Service).
A Pattern of Targeting Pro‑Palestinian Voices
Sang Hea Kil, Dr. Rahmeh Aladwan, and Dr. Randa Abdel‑Fattah are just three of many individuals who have been targeted for refusing to be bullied into silence about Gaza. Based in the U.S., the U.K., and Australia respectively, these women have faced firing, arrests, defamation, and escalating legal attacks meant to intimidate anyone who dares to speak out.
More on Dr. Rahmeh Aladwan: https://freepress.org/article/british-palestinian-dr-rahma-aladwan-uk-under-zionist-occupation
A Threat to Free Speech
Let us make no mistake — these assaults on freedom of speech at SJSU and across the U.S. and Europe are designed to instill fear and suppress pro‑Palestinian activism. They represent an attack on a cornerstone of American democracy: the First Amendment, which protects the right to express unpopular or controversial views and guards against government‑backed censorship.
Caption for additional photo: Sang Hea Kil, Dr. Rahmeh Aladwan, and Dr. Randa Abdel-Fattah are three of many people being targeted right now for refusing to be silent about Gaza. Based in the U.S, the U.K., and Australia, respectively, these three women have faced firing, arrests, defamation, and escalating legal attacks meant to send a message and intimidate anyone who dares to speak out. Image: Facebook
Mahmoud El‑Yousseph is a Palestinian freelance writer and retired U.S. Air Force veteran. He writes on U.S. foreign policy, Middle East affairs, and justice. Email: elyousseph6@yahoo.com
