Helyeh Doutaghi claims she was wrongly suspended after allegations were made by an 'AI empowered' website. Photo: Helyeh Doutaghi
Helyeh Doutaghi claims she was wrongly suspended after allegations were made by an 'AI empowered' website. Photo: Helyeh Doutaghi
Helyeh Doutaghi claims she was wrongly suspended after allegations were made by an 'AI empowered' website. Photo: Helyeh Doutaghi
Helyeh Doutaghi claims she was wrongly suspended after allegations were made by an 'AI empowered' website. Photo: Helyeh Doutaghi

Pro-Palestine Yale scholar Helyeh Doutaghi officially sacked by university


Cody Combs
  • English
  • Arabic

Helyeh Doutaghi, a scholar of international law who was accused of having connections to terrorism by an AI-powered news site, Jewish Onliner, says Yale Law School has sacked her.

In March, Yale suspended Ms Doutaghi while it investigated the accusations. “I have been terminated based on unproven allegations, absent any due process or substantiated claim,” Ms Doutaghi posted to X. “This sets a chilling precedent.”

In a statement to The National, Alden Ferro, a senior associate of public affairs at Yale, said that the school repeatedly tried to talk to Ms Doutaghi and her lawyer but she refused to meet to respond to critical questions. “As a result of her refusal to co-operate with this investigation, her employment with Yale – which was set to expire this April – has been terminated effective immediately."

Her lawyer, Eric Lee, accused Yale of being disingenuous. “It is not true,” he posted to X. “Yale made a decision to fire her without a fair process. Another capitulation to Trump by a major university.”

The website at the centre of the accusations, Jewish Onliner, said Ms Doutaghi was connected to the Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network, which the US Treasury Department in 2024 designated a “sham charity” and an “international fundraiser for the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine terrorist organisation”. Shortly after the report circulated, Yale put Ms Doutaghi on administrative leave, pending an investigation.

In an interview with The National, Jewish Onliner, which uses AI to expose “anti-Israel movements”, defended its content and accusations against Ms Doutaghi. “She is not necessarily refuting claims of membership in Samidoun – she is merely rejecting the characterisation of herself as a terrorist,” the email read in part.

A petition calling on Yale University to reinstate Ms Doutaghi has received more than 1,100 signatures.

Yale Law School said that Helyeh Doutaghi repeatedly refused to meet with school officials during her temporary suspension. Photo: Yale
Yale Law School said that Helyeh Doutaghi repeatedly refused to meet with school officials during her temporary suspension. Photo: Yale
Sarfira

Director: Sudha Kongara Prasad

Starring: Akshay Kumar, Radhika Madan, Paresh Rawal 

Rating: 2/5

Who's who in Yemen conflict

Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government

Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council

Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south

Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory

Our legal columnist

Name: Yousef Al Bahar

Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994

Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers

MATCH INFO

Pakistan 106-8 (20 ovs)

Iftikhar 45, Richardson 3-18

Australia 109-0 (11.5 ovs)

Warner 48 no, Finch 52 no

Australia win series 2-0

War and the virus
'Operation Mincemeat' 

Director: John Madden 

 

Cast: Colin Firth, Matthew Macfayden, Kelly Macdonald and Penelope Wilton

 

Rating: 4/5

 
The%20specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204.0-litre%20twin-turbo%20V8%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E680hp%20at%206%2C000rpm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E800Nm%20at%202%2C750-6%2C000rpm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ERear-mounted%20eight-speed%20auto%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFuel%20consumption%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E13.6L%2F100km%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Orderbook%20open%3B%20deliveries%20start%20end%20of%20year%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh970%2C000%3C%2Fp%3E%0A

Turkish Ladies

Various artists, Sony Music Turkey 

How to apply for a drone permit
  • Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
  • Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
  • Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
  • Submit their request
What are the regulations?
  • Fly it within visual line of sight
  • Never over populated areas
  • Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
  • Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
  • Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
  • Should have a live feed of the drone flight
  • Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
THE SPECS

Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8

Transmission: seven-speed dual clutch

Power: 710bhp

Torque: 770Nm

Speed: 0-100km/h 2.9 seconds

Top Speed: 340km/h

Price: Dh1,000,885

On sale: now

Bio:

Favourite Quote: Prophet Mohammad's quotes There is reward for kindness to every living thing and A good man treats women with honour

Favourite Hobby: Serving poor people 

Favourite Book: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

Favourite food: Fish and vegetables

Favourite place to visit: London

Defence review at a glance

• Increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 but given “turbulent times it may be necessary to go faster”

• Prioritise a shift towards working with AI and autonomous systems

• Invest in the resilience of military space systems.

• Number of active reserves should be increased by 20%

• More F-35 fighter jets required in the next decade

• New “hybrid Navy” with AUKUS submarines and autonomous vessels

Updated: April 01, 2025, 7:55 PM