UW Removes Anti-Israel Activist Aria Fani as Middle East Center Director

Fani, an associate professor, was stripped of his leadership role following controversial emails criticizing Israel and dismissing Iran's nuclear threat.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 11:06pm

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A dimly lit university office space with a lone desk, chair, and bookshelf, bathed in warm, diagonal sunlight and deep shadows, conceptually representing the tensions surrounding a university's decision to remove a director over his political views.The removal of a controversial director from a university's Middle East studies center reflects the delicate balance between academic freedom and institutional accountability.Washington Today

The University of Washington has removed radical far-left professor and anti-Israel activist Aria Fani from his position as director of the Middle East Center at its Jackson School of International Studies. Fani, who remains an associate professor at the university, was stripped of his leadership role following a March 18 mass email sent through the center's official listserv, in which he accused Israel of seeking widespread destruction and dismissed concerns about Iran's nuclear ambitions.

Why it matters

Fani's rhetoric and views on Israel and the Middle East conflict have drawn significant backlash from the university's Jewish community and alumni association. His removal as director highlights the tensions surrounding academic freedom, political activism, and the role of university centers focused on sensitive global issues.

The details

In the March 18 email, titled 'More Notes on the Iran War,' Fani claimed 'Israeli actions tell us that they seek the destruction of the state, not just its ruling class' and that concerns about Iran's nuclear program 'was always BS.' The university placed the listserv under moderation after Fani sent the email, and he was no longer able to send messages. Fani's rhetoric in the email echoed previous public statements, including accusing Israel of 'genocide' and describing the country as a 'Nazi state.' The UW Jewish Alumni Association criticized Fani's leadership following the email, questioning why the Middle East Center would have a director who 'cannot be counted on to share the relevant information students need.'

  • On March 18, Fani sent the controversial email through the Middle East Center's listserv.
  • In December 2024, Fani accused Israel of committing 'genocide' and described the country as a 'Nazi state' during a book event.

The players

Aria Fani

An associate professor at the University of Washington who was removed from his position as director of the university's Middle East Center following controversial emails criticizing Israel and dismissing concerns about Iran's nuclear ambitions.

Daniel Hoffman

The director of the University of Washington's Jackson School of International Studies, who will cover the administrative responsibilities of the Middle East Center for the spring and summer terms.

University of Washington

The public research university that removed Aria Fani from his leadership role at the Middle East Center following his controversial emails.

UW Jewish Alumni Association

The group that criticized Fani's leadership of the Middle East Center, questioning why the center would have a director who 'cannot be counted on to share the relevant information students need.'

Ari Hoffman

The host of The Ari Hoffman Show on Talk Radio 570 KVI, who Fani claimed without evidence contributed to his removal from the director role.

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What they’re saying

“'Aria Fani is no longer the director of the University's Middle East Center. Daniel Hoffman, the director of the Jackson School of International Studies, will cover the administrative responsibilities of the Middle East Center for this spring and summer. Fani remains an associate professor at the University.'”

— University of Washington spokesperson

“'If the director of UW's Middle East Center cannot be counted on to share the relevant information students need when it counts, why have a Middle East Center at all?'”

— UW Jewish Alumni Association

“'I knew it was gonna come. It was only a matter of time.'”

— Aria Fani, Associate Professor

“'On leave until September. Will not check email with capitalist frequency.'”

— Aria Fani, Associate Professor

What’s next

The university stated that President Robert Jones 'had no role in, or knowledge of, the end of this administrative appointment.' It remains to be seen if Fani will pursue any further action regarding his removal as director of the Middle East Center.

The takeaway

Fani's removal highlights the ongoing tensions between academic freedom, political activism, and the role of university-affiliated centers focused on sensitive global issues. The controversy underscores the need for balanced, fact-based discourse on complex geopolitical topics within higher education.