Tenured California professor fired over Gaza protest wins job back

Sang Hea Kil, a justice studies professor at San José State University, has won her job back after being fired for her pro-Palestinian activism. An arbitrator ruled last week that the California State University system unlawfully dismissed the tenured professor. Kil's termination in November was the first for a tenured faculty member at a U.S. public university following nationwide campus protests over the war in Gaza.

Kil had previously filed a lawsuit against the CSU system, accusing it of "discriminatory and retaliatory attempts to silence her." The arbitrator's decision orders her reinstatement, finding that the university system violated the law in its dismissal of the professor. She now plans to pursue legal action against the university.

The case highlights the ongoing tensions and legal battles surrounding campus activism related to the conflict in Gaza. Kil's reinstatement after being dismissed for her involvement in these protests sets a precedent for similar cases within the U.S. higher education system.

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discriminatory and retaliatory attempts to silence her