Palestinian Scholar Defies Pro-Israel Pressure, Delivers Lecture on Al Aqsa Flood Anniversary Despite Wake Forest University’s Cancellation
North Carolina (Quds News Network)– Palestinian scholar Dr. Rabab Abdulhadi delivered her lecture on the first anniversary of the Al-Aqsa Flood, despite Wake Forest University’s cancellation of the event following intense pressure from pro-Israel groups. The lecture, titled “One Year Since al-Aqsa Flood: Reflections on a Year of Genocide and Resistance,” had originally been scheduled for October 7 but was called off by the university due to a targeted campaign.
Dr. Abdulhadi’s lecture was organized by five academic units at the university, aimed at addressing the ongoing genocide in Gaza through a critical lens. The event’s cancellation, which many saw as a violation of academic freedom, followed a campaign by groups like the Anti-Defamation League and Campus Watch, which accused Abdulhadi of promoting anti-Israel sentiments.
In response, several organizations condemned Wake Forest’s decision, calling for the university to reverse its actions. Over 800 faculty, staff, students, and community members signed a letter expressing disappointment, stating that the university’s move “sends a clear message that not all communities are equally valued or protected.” The Middle East Studies Association (MESA) described the cancellation as a “severe violation of the principles of academic freedom,” while California Scholars for Academic Freedom (CS4AF) criticized it as part of a broader trend of silencing pro-Palestine voices in academia.
Despite these setbacks, Dr. Abdulhadi remained undeterred. With the support of local community members and faculty, she delivered her lecture at a local church to an audience of over 130 people.
Dr. Abdulhadi emphasized the importance of solidarity in her closing remarks: “It was really important that we felt energized — that we weren’t defeated for Gaza, for Lebanon, for Palestine. It was really important for us to come together, not allow them to silence us. And I felt very welcomed; I felt very warm; I felt a lot of love.”
This incident is part of a broader pattern of challenges faced by Dr. Abdulhadi, including previous attempts to block her academic work at San Francisco State University, where she leads the Arab and Muslim Ethnicities and Diasporas (AMED) Studies program. Nevertheless, she continues to advocate for justice and academic freedom in the face of ongoing threats.
