Over 1,000 Doctors Demand Brown University Drop Pro-Hezbollah Professor

In a powerful stand against extremism in academia, over 1,000 medical professionals have signed a petition urging Brown University to sever ties with a professor alleged to have expressed support for Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed terror group. The petition, initiated by the National Jewish Advocacy Center, implores university leadership to prevent Dr. Rasha Alawieh from resuming her teaching role, regardless of her pending deportation case.

Dr. Alawieh, a kidney transplant specialist, was detained by federal authorities after reportedly expressing admiration for the late Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, killed in an Israeli Defense Forces operation. Her support allegedly went beyond words Homeland Security officials report that she traveled to Nasrallah’s funeral and was caught returning to the U.S. with photos of Hezbollah fighters and the terror chief on her phone.

She later admitted deleting those images upon her return to avoid "the perception," though she claimed she had done nothing wrong. However, many in the medical and Jewish communities disagree.

The petition warns that allowing Alawieh to remain on faculty poses a threat to both her colleagues and the patients she treats. “She is a threat to fellow faculty, as well as to patient safety and care for which Brown University is on notice, making her also a liability threat to the University itself,” it states.

This comes at a time when antisemitism in the medical field is making headlines. Since the Hamas-led massacre in Israel on October 7, 2023, the environment for Jewish healthcare professionals has deteriorated dramatically. In one shocking case, two Australian healthcare workers boasted online about harming Jewish patients. These are not isolated incidents.

Peggy Shapiro, executive director of the Center for Combating Antisemitism, noted that a staggering 40% of Jewish medical professionals have faced antisemitism in their workplaces or academic institutions since that attack.

Despite these concerns, some colleagues of Dr. Alawieh continue to defend her. “She’s an outstanding physician, an outstanding person. She’s a pleasure to work with, and we’re horrified by this entire event,” said Dr. Paul Morrissey, director of Brown’s transplant program.

Still, the voices of over a thousand doctors and medical workers are clear: public support for a terrorist group like Hezbollah has no place in American classrooms or hospitals. The petition represents more than a demand for disciplinary action it’s a call for moral clarity and institutional accountability.

Israel’s ongoing struggle against terror doesn’t stop at its borders. The global Jewish community remains vigilant, especially in institutions entrusted with education and healing. Share this story or subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed.