Yale suspends Iranian scholar after AI site said she supports a pro-Palestine group

Yale Law School has placed an Iranian academic on suspension amid allegations highlighted by an Israeli website utilizing artificial intelligence. The article in question brought to light the scholar’s advocacy efforts for Palestine and Iran, along with her vocal criticism of what she termed as Israeli genocide during the Gaza conflict.

Helyeh Doutaghi, the Deputy Director of Yale’s Law and Political Economy Project, issued a public statement on Wednesday condemning her suspension, characterizing it as a retaliatory response to her pro-Palestinian views and an infringement on her constitutional rights to free speech and academic freedom.

She issued a warning regarding the weaponization of artificial intelligence, claiming it is being used to target students, faculty, and activists who voice opposition to genocide, systemic starvation, and the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians. Her remarks underscored the broader ramifications associated with the misuse of AI in academic and public dialogues.

Helyeh Doutaghi, a noted authority on international law and former Associate Research Scholar at Yale Law School, recently became the subject of controversy following claims in an article by “Jewish Onliner,” a lesser-known AI-driven right-wing Zionist outlet. The March 3 publication inaccurately described Doutaghi as a “terrorist.” In response, Doutaghi addressed the situation on social media on March 12, 2025, denouncing Yale Law School’s apparent acceptance of what she deems AI-generated misinformation, after facing suspension related to her pro-Palestine remarks.

Doutaghi, an outspoken critic of U.S. military actions, imperialism, and the perceived US-Zionist policies contributing to the humanitarian crisis in Palestine, has reported that allegations made in a recent article have resulted in a surge of online harassment and death threats directed at her.

Within a day of the article’s publication, the administration at Yale Law School announced that Doutaghi had been placed on leave.

She leveled criticism at the administration for proceeding with an interrogation founded on allegations generated by artificial intelligence, asserting that it was done without due process or granting her adequate time to be present for the questioning.

Doutaghi voiced apprehensions regarding Yale University’s decision to appoint David Ring, an attorney from the firm Wiggin and Dana, to conduct her questioning. She highlighted that Ring’s public professional background suggests a concentration on services associated with Israel.

Concerns have been raised regarding his impartiality in a case concerning a pro-Palestinian academic. A legal scholar has argued that international law constitutes a fundamental component in maintaining US imperialism. Furthermore, the efficacy of the Geneva Conventions has been scrutinized over time, particularly in relation to Western military interventions and their colonial counterparts, according to the scholar.

In a statement, Doutaghi claimed that YLS’s actions represent a clear act of retaliation against those expressing solidarity with Palestinians. He further alleged that the administration favored the interests of its Zionist donors over conducting an impartial investigation.

Doutaghi highlighted concerns over Yale University’s asset management strategy, noting that it involves firms connected to General Dynamics and Lockheed Martin. These companies manufacture components for the F-35 fighter jets utilized by Israel in operations described by some as genocidal. Doutaghi argued that this investment strategy presents a conflict of interest that could potentially compromise the university’s academic integrity.

Doutaghi expressed grave concerns over the recent crackdowns, characterizing them as a perilous intensification of governmental repression that instills fear within academic environments. “We are entering a new phase similar to McCarthyism,” Doutaghi remarked, “where opposition is met with violence and support for Palestine is criminalized.”

In related developments, a pro-Palestinian advocacy organization has strongly criticized recent US Senate hearings focused on Gaza protests, describing them as efforts to suppress voices advocating for Palestinian rights. The group likened these actions to a contemporary form of McCarthyism, aimed at curtailing dissent and stifling solidarity with Palestine.

Eric Lee, the legal representative for Helyeh Doutaghi, has publicly criticized Yale University following Doutaghi’s suspension. In a statement shared on social media, Lee accused the university of yielding to former President Donald Trump’s alleged attempts to undermine free speech and academic freedom. Lee further suggested that the actions were in line with efforts to establish authoritarian control. Doutaghi has shared her lawyer’s statement on Twitter, emphasizing her stance on the issue.

The US State Department is reportedly exploring the potential application of artificial intelligence to revoke visas of international students allegedly supporting Hamas. This move has sparked increased concerns regarding the implications of such technology on civil liberties.

Mahmoud Khalil, a recent graduate of Columbia University and prominent figure in last year’s solidarity demonstrations backing the Gaza Strip, was taken into custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on Saturday. Despite holding a green card, authorities have indicated that Khalil is facing deportation.

In the wake of Khalil’s detention, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that this marked “the first of many” similar actions, describing Khalil as a “radical foreign pro-Hamas student.” The President underscored his administration’s intent to implement a stringent policy against pro-Palestinian activities in American universities.