Ex IDF academic tells protesters storming his lectures ‘you picked the wrong professor’

An Israeli professor and former IDF soldier had his lecture stormed by masked pro-Palestine activists declaring him a ‘war criminal’.

The group hurled insults at economics lecturer Michael Ben-Gad, branding him a ‘Nazi’ with ‘blood on his hands’ and refused to leave as security were trying to escort them out. One activist allegedly threatened to cut off his head.

Prof Ben-Gad has worked at City University in London since 2007 but is now facing calls to get sacked because he served in the Israel Defense Forces from 1982 to 1985. 

The invasion of his lecture today comes despite efforts to increase security after leaflets shaming the university for letting a ‘terrorist’ teach were spread around campus.

Prof Ben-Gad describes himself as an ‘unapologetic Israeli patriot’, has refused to stop teaching, saying ‘no one is going to intimidate me’. 

The university has even offered paid leave to him, where he would sit at home and work on his research – although this was tempting, he rejected the offer.

He told the Daily Mail: ‘If the objective of the demonstration was to frighten or intimidate me, frankly they will have to try a lot harder than printing up a flyer, launching an Instagram campaign or a small demonstration.

‘I lectured this week as usual while all this was beginning and plan to do so next week as well. I am indeed as they claim an IDF veteran and I plan to act like one – these modern brown shirts are not going to send me into hiding.

‘I am a classical liberal. Students have a right to express their opinions even if personally, I find those views abhorrent. That even includes the production of inflammatory pamphlets about me.

‘However, they do not have a right to disrupt, harass, threaten, or physically intimidate and today they crossed a very bright red line.’

One poster from the activist group analysed his previous employment history to support their argument.

The professor has also expressed concern about those more vulnerable than himself, such as Jewish students whom he and the university are keen to protect.

He has received much support from the university and colleagues of all faiths and backgrounds.

Prof Ben-Gad also told the Daily Mail: ‘They picked the wrong professor at the wrong university.

‘I am an unapologetic Israeli patriot and no one is going to intimidate me.

‘At the same time, I am deeply grateful to this wonderful country for all the opportunities it has afforded me.

A statement signed by more than 600 professors and tutors from various institutions reads: ‘We, the undersigned, are deeply concerned by a targeted harassment campaign against Michael Ben-Gad, Professor of Economics at City St George’s, University of London. 

‘Regardless of diverse views on the recent Gaza war and the history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, we deplore any campaign that seeks to intimidate and drive out lecturers because they are Israeli, Jewish, or members of any other group.

‘We are immensely grateful to hear of the strong support given by the President and Senior Leadership Team to the Professor in question, and we wish to register our equal support. 

‘Academics and students have a right to go about their work at any university without facing harassment. 

‘Attacks of this kind are intimidating, particularly to Jewish students, and set a precedent under which others could be targeted in future. 

‘We wish to make clear to what appears to be a small, if very vocal, group that their mobbing tactics will not succeed. 

‘We stand together in support of Professor Ben-Gad and his personal and intellectual freedom as an academic.’

Others have shown their support online.

One person commented on Instagram, saying: ‘If you had a professor from Israeli with the same profile you have detailed above, except they were Muslim or Christian – would you still be doing this? Interested to know the logic.’

Another X user commented on the need for added security to protect the professor: ‘He needs armed guards and the doors locked when he gives his lectures so these people can’t come in.’

While there is support for the professor, the activist group’s Instagram page has a significant following with more than 2,000 followers.

On the video posted which shows yesterday’s confrontation, one user commented: ‘Well done those brave students!! Shame they weren’t supported more by the others. How can you they all sit in that lecture!’

Another said: ‘Keep up the amazing work…We won’t stop raising our voices until the Palestinians are completely free.’

The Metro have requested to speak to Prof Ben-Gad.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at [email protected].

For more stories like this, check our news page.

MORE: Charing Cross Police station: Met sack three officers after Panorama scandal

MORE: 10 unmissable Time Out London deals: 10 brunch dishes and dessert from £35 at Kanishka

MORE: Face your fears at London’s best alternative Halloween events