“Targeted harassment” by pro-Palestinian students against Israeli professor condemned

More than 600 academics have condemned a “targeted harassment campaign” conducted by a pro-Palestinian society at City St George’s, University of London against an Israeli economics professor at the institution, which has seen him falsely labelled as a “terrorist”.

“City Action for Palestine” launched a campaign last week calling for the firing of Professor Michael Ben-Gad, describing him as an “ex-IOF terrorist”, demanding the “termination” of his contract, an “apology to our community” and to “consider such fundamental matters when hiring in future.” The group said it “will not be silenced. We will not allow evil to roam free on our campus.”

Ben-Gad has taught at City for 18 years.

The academic signatories to the letter described themselves as “deeply concerned by a targeted harassment campaign against Michael Ben-Gad, Professor of Economics at City St George’s, University of London, led by a group calling themselves City Action for Palestine. They have mounted a social media campaign, staged very loud protests in the University Building, and launched a Change.org petition.”

Members of the society held an in-person protest on university property last week, in which participants hid their faces with keffiyeh’s and, in one case, a motorcycle helmet. Protestors chanted, “Ben-Gad, shame shame, all the crimes in your name”, with the protest leader saying “there is an IOF terrorist on campus, sack him now.”

Further posts from “City Action for Palestine” focused on Ben-Gad’s biography on the university website, which mentions his military service in the IDF, his time as a lecturer at the university of Haifa (described by the university society as “six years working in a genocidal society”) and his Bachelors Degree at Hebrew University in Jerusalem (described as “studied in the Occupied Territories”).

The academic’s letter went on to state that City Action for Palestine’s “harassment campaign has included libellous claims such as branding Professor Ben-Gad a ‘terrorist’ and ‘war criminal’, and has made comparable accusations against the President of City St George’s, Sir Anthony Finkelstein.

“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.”

In comments to the Daily Mail, Professor Ben-Gad said:

“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.”

He went on to tell the paper: “I have enjoyed the full support of the President, Prof Sir Anthony Finkelstein and the entire senior management team of the university. Anthony and I are both the sons of Holocaust survivors and understand completely the true nature of this campaign.

‘I should add that I have also received plenty of support from dear colleagues of all faiths and backgrounds.

A spokesperson for City St George’s, University of London said:

“City St George’s fully supports and upholds freedom of expression within the law and is willing to engage in lawful discussion and debate across the full range of topics. However, 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 is 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.”