PHX Reporter

State Rep. Matt Gress (R-Phoenix) is calling for Arizona State University (ASU) to take action against Associate Professor Khaled Beydoun following his controversial remarks celebrating the Hamas October 7, 2023 attacks on Israel during a pro-Palestine rally in Australia.

According to a press release, Gress condemned Beydoun's comments, in which the professor referred to the anniversary of the attacks as a “good day” and characterized the event as a “considerable celebration” for its role in promoting “global literacy” on Palestine. The Australian government subsequently revoked Beydoun’s visa due to these remarks.

“Professor Beydoun’s remarks cannot be ignored,” said Gress, according to the press release. “ASU must uphold the highest standards of professionalism and integrity among its faculty. His comments condoning acts of terror clearly violate those standards, and the university should hold him accountable.”

In a letter addressed to Dean Stacy Leeds of ASU’s Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law, Gress expressed his concerns about Beydoun's behavior, which he described as unbecoming of a law professor. He referenced a previous request by another state representative, Alex Kolodin, for an investigation into allegations that Beydoun had spread false and harmful narratives on social media. Gress sought clarification on whether these allegations were investigated and what the findings were.

Citing Arizona law, Gress noted that it is illegal for individuals to intentionally promote acts of terrorism, raising questions about Beydoun’s judgment and suitability to influence students at ASU. Gress urged the university to take decisive action, including potentially initiating proceedings to terminate Beydoun’s employment.

“Professor Beydoun’s actions reflect poorly on the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University and call into question whether he is capable of exercising appropriate judgment in his position of trust and influence over students at ASU,” Gress wrote in his letter. 

The Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023, resulted in a significant escalation of violence in the region. The sneak attack involved the firing of thousands of rockets into Israeli territory and a ground incursion into various communities, leading to the deaths of approximately 1,200 people and taking hundreds more hostage. This unprecedented attack marked one of the deadliest days in the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict and drew widespread condemnation from international leaders, further intensifying tensions in an already volatile situation.

Elected in 2022, Matt Gress is a Republican state representative for Arizona's Legislative District 4. He is a former public school teacher and budget expert with a background in local government and public finance. Gress has served as a school board member and the state's budget chief, focusing on education funding, border security, public safety, and reducing living costs. He advocates for increased teacher pay, election integrity, and fiscal responsibility. Raised in a small Oklahoma town, he now resides in Arizona with his partner Daniel.