Jordanian Professor Fired for Gaza Solidarity: Academic Freedom Under Fire
Zarqa University terminates Nujma Al-Zaytawi for joining a Gaza solidarity strike, sparking outrage and fears of growing repression.
Watan-In what has been described as a “retaliatory” and controversial move, Zarqa University in Jordan has dismissed lecturer Nujma Al-Zaytawi for participating in a solidarity strike for Gaza organized by the Jordanian Teachers’ Syndicate. The decision, widely seen as unjustified, sparked widespread outrage across Jordanian and Arab platforms, raising serious concerns about academic freedom in the Kingdom.
Al-Zaytawi, known for her principled national and humanitarian stances, lectures in the Arabic Language Department and has a long history of supporting the Palestinian cause and participating in pro-Gaza events. She committed no crime and did not incite violence—she simply took a human stance in a time when entire populations are being exterminated before the eyes of the world.
According to activists, the university’s decision was made under “high-level orders,” casting heavy doubts on the neutrality of educational institutions and placing the university administration under intense scrutiny. Activists, lawyers, and students described the incident as “politically motivated arbitrary dismissal,” warning of the chilling message it sends to anyone daring to defy “official instructions.”
Dismissed for Solidarity: Al-Zaytawi’s Case Sparks Uproar
#WeAreAllNujmaAlZaytawi, #SolidarityIsNotACrime, and #JordanWithGaza.
One Twitter user wrote:“To be fired for rejecting genocide—this is not a state of law, but a plantation that serves the American narrative.”
Observers are now asking: Is the Jordanian government attempting to silence every voice standing with Gaza? Have gestures of solidarity become a punishable offense for educators—especially while Gaza faces one of the most horrific atrocities?
Al-Zaytawi’s dismissal is not just an attack on her—it’s a form of intimidation aimed at silencing anyone who dares to speak out against the death and destruction in the besieged Gaza Strip.
No official justification or legal explanation has been given for the decision, which legal experts describe as a clear violation of justice and freedom of expression.
Will the university reconsider its decision? Or is this the beginning of wider repression targeting anyone who dares to raise their voice in this era of quiet oppression?
