Academics Rally Behind City University Professor Amidst Calls for Sacking Over Israeli Military Service

London, UK – Over 400 academics have signed an open letter in support of Professor Michael Ben-Gad of City University of London, following demands for his termination by a student group. The controversy centers on Professor Ben-Gad's mandatory service in the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) decades ago, which a student organization has cited as grounds for his removal. The letter, initiated by Professor Alice Sullivan of University College London (UCL), underscores concerns about academic freedom and alleged antisemitic harassment on university campuses.

Professor Ben-Gad, an Israeli academic and Professor of Economics, has been branded a "terrorist" by the student group City Action for Palestine. The group called for his sacking due to his IDF service from 1982-1985 and his past professional roles at the Bank of Israel and the University of Haifa. They stated, "Shame on City for… allowing a terrorist to be near and teach Arab and Muslim students despite being an active participant in murdering their people," according to reports.

In response, Professor Ben-Gad has unequivocally stated his intention to continue lecturing, telling The Telegraph, "I am an unapologetic Israeli patriot and no one is going to intimidate me." He accused the students of crossing a "very bright red line" with disruptive and threatening behavior, leading to increased security for his lectures. Professor Ben-Gad emphasized that while he respects the right to voice opinions, "they do not have a right to disrupt, harass, threaten or physically intimidate."

Professor Alice Sullivan, in her social media post initiating the open letter, highlighted the core issue: > "Students are demanding his sacking simply because he is an Israeli Jew who has done (mandatory) military service. The antisemitic harassment he is being subjected to is horrifying." Other academics, including Professor Abhishek Saha of Queen Mary’s University London, described the campaign as "vile, targeted harassment on the basis of national origin and religion."

The Campaign Against Antisemitism has also weighed in, calling the campaign an "alarming example of contemporary antisemitism disguised as 'activism'." They argue that targeting an academic for mandatory military service or lawful employment in Israel is not legitimate criticism and constitutes a "direct attack on academic freedom and the right of Jewish academics to participate fully in professional and public life without fear of vilification." The support for Professor Ben-Gad reflects a broader debate on free speech and the treatment of Israeli academics within UK universities.