An Israeli professor has vowed to continue delivering “all of his lectures” after one was stormed by a group of pro-Palestine protesters.
Speaking to GB News, Professor Michael Ben-Gad of City Saint George’s University declared he is “angry and defiant” following the ordeal, and said he has “full support” of the university.
During one of Professor Ben-Gad’s lectures, the pro-Palestine group City Action for Palestine marched into the classroom and claimed he has “blood on his hands”.
In footage shared on social media, the masked group of individuals also told students that they “cannot learn from IDF veterans”.
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Speaking out on the ordeal, Professor Ben-Gad told GB News: “First of all, let me say that I have the full support of all of my colleagues. The colleagues in my department come from every background and every faith, and they’ve just been really marvellous.
“The university is also supporting me, I do not take that for granted. I feel myself very, very fortunate.”
Noting his past service in the IDF (Israel Defense Forces), the professor added: “I can also add, as far as consumption is concerned, nobody dragged me in chains to serve in the IDF. Nearly every Israeli is proud to serve in the IDF, and I certainly was.
“That’s not the only thing that they are concerned about. If you look at the rap sheet, it includes having studied at Hebrew University of Jerusalem, which is an institution of higher learning that has existed for over 100 years, of having taught at the University of Haifa and having worked at Israel’s central bank, they regard all of these things as criminal.”
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The group shared leaflets around the university, branding Professor Ben-Gad a ‘terrorist’
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CITY ACTION FOR PALESTINE
Asked by host Andrew Pierce if they are regarding him as “criminal” because he is Israeli, Professor Ben-Gad agreed: “Absolutely, and it’s worse than that because they’re also targeting the president of the university, Professor Sir Anthony Finkelstein.
“He has no formal connection to Israel. He served this country as the national security, he’s a computer scientist, and he served as national security advisor and scientific advisor for national security. And they’ve been targeting him with a terrible smears.”
Asked by Andrew if he is “scared” following the incident, the professor declared he is “angry and defiant”.
He told GB News: “No I’m not scared, I’m simply angry and defiant. The university has offered to relieve me of my teaching until things improve. That’s actually for a professor very tempting, because it would mean that I could sit at home and pursue my research.
Professor Ben-Gad told GB News that he is simply ‘angry and defiant’
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GB NEWS
“But under the circumstances, I am absolutely adamant, I’ve said no. I will deliver all of my lectures. I think the students have a right to expect nothing less from me.”
A spokesman for City Saint George’s University said: “Unlawful and repugnant attempts to obstruct and interfere with our academic operations are another thing entirely and the University will not tolerate the harassment of its staff and students.
“We reject the unlawful actions of this small group of individuals that’s neither affiliated with the university nor its Students Union.
“We will continue to support and protect our staff and students, including Michael, who has the full support of the university and its senior management team, as well as colleagues of all faiths and backgrounds.”