We, the undersigned, are deeply concerned about the unjust termination of Dr. Zaki Masoud, a medical resident at NYU Langone Winthrop Hospital. Dr. Masoud, a compassionate individual dedicated to caring for others, has been an asset to the medical community and has exhibited exemplary qualities throughout his tenure.

The termination process initiated against Dr. Masoud is alarming and appears to be rooted in discriminatory practices. Dr. Masoud, a Palestinian, was subjected to termination due to his support for Palestine, an expression of his heritage and identity. It is essential to recognize that expressing solidarity with Palestine does not signify any form of hatred towards the Jewish community and does not equate to anti-Semitism.

On October 27th, his personal Instagram posts, which were in solidarity with Palestine, were shared by an X (formerly Twitter) account known for doxing and targeting individuals who support the cause. Dr. Masoud’s posts did not contain hate speech or discriminatory language towards any group. The decision to terminate Dr. Masoud appears to have been influenced by external pressure from social media without due consideration of the context and nature of Dr. Masoud's peaceful actions. There were no statements made by Dr. Masoud that promoted hatred or violence. Dr. Masoud was merely exercising his right to express solidarity with those who share his ethnic background in a private capacity on social media.

On October 20th, just one week before NYU Langone commenced his termination process, Dr. Masoud received recognition in his residency newsletter and was honored with an "Outstanding Patient Care Recognition" segment for his exceptional patient care. Dr. Masoud's commitment to the medical profession and his embodiment of the principles of care and compassion stand in stark contrast to the unfair treatment he is receiving. Terminating him based on his support for Palestine is not only a violation of his rights but also sets a troubling precedent of discrimination against an individual based on their heritage and peaceful expression.

We urge NYU Langone to reinstate Dr. Zaki Masoud immediately. We call upon the administration to uphold the values of justice, equality, and respect for diversity. Dr. Masoud must be treated justly, without prejudice or discrimination based on his ethnic background or personal beliefs.