A Portland State University professor has been placed on leave and is under investigation after a short video clip circulated on social media of her saying ‘I am Hamas … we’re all Hamas” at an off-campus rally.
The professor of Arabic language and literature was placed on leave on Friday, according to a June 6 statement from the university’s President Ann Cudd.
“PSU stands unequivocally against antisemitism, terrorism, and hate of any kind, including the statements made in this video. … The statements made in this video are absolutely unacceptable,” Cudd stated.
“PSU is conducting an investigation of this incident and the faculty member involved has been placed on administrative leave.”
Cudd does not identify the scholar by name but The Oregonian and KOIN Portland both identified her as Professor Yasmeen Hanoosh of the Department of World Languages and Literatures.
Hanoosh did not respond to a request for comment this week and PSU’s media relations department declined to comment to The College Fix.
In the six-second clip posted on several pro-Israel social media accounts, Hanoosh is seen attending a June 2 rally being interviewed by a man whose face is blurred and identity unknown.
“I am Hamas … We are all Hamas.”@Portland_State Arabic language professor Yasmeen Hanoosh was recorded at a leftist protest in Beaverton, Ore. (next to Portland) identifying herself as a supporter of Hamas.
Some are calling for the academic to be disciplined for expressing… pic.twitter.com/HY27VxEYZm
— Andy Ngo (@MrAndyNgo) June 5, 2025
“You know Hamas?” the man asks.
“I am Hamas,” she responds.
“Great, what was the plan for Hamas?” he asks.
“We’re all Hamas,” she adds, pointing to the crowd behind her. After that the video snippet ends.
The U.S. has designated Hamas a terrorist organization. The group is responsible for the murder of more than 1,200 Israeli citizens, including women and children, during an Oct. 7, 2023 attack, prompting the prolonged Israeli-Palestinian conflict that continues today.
According to The Oregonian, “Hanoosh and others were gathered at a rally organized by the Democratic Socialists of America at the headquarters of the Beaverton School District on June 2 to show support for board member Tammy Carpenter, who is also under investigation.”
“Multiple complaints filed against Carpenter allege that she contributed to a hostile environment for Jewish students and families in Beaverton due to her staunch and sustained support of Palestinian rights on her social media accounts.”
At Portland State University last spring, a mob of pro-Palestinian protestors took over the campus library, painted over security cameras and vandalized the building, barricading themselves in and prompting officials to cancel classes for two days to deal with the crisis.
In February of this year, the U.S. Department of Education announced it was investigating PSU over claims of antisemitism discrimination.
Cudd, in her statement, added the university recognizes “that events like this one indicate the need for additional education, and this term we offered a free, one-credit class on antisemitism that was well received by the more than 100 students who are taking it.”
“We intend to make this course available to more members of our community. We are committed to providing a campus environment free from hate.”
MORE: Portland State won’t punish pro-Palestinian student protesters who occupied library
IMAGE CAPTION AND CREDIT: PSU professor interviewed at a rally in Oregon / Instagram screenshot