Masked thugs allegedly threatened to behead an Israeli professor after storming his lecture at a London university.
Michael Ben-Gad, an economics lecturer at City St George’s, has faced calls to resign because he served in the Israel Defence Forces four decades ago.
But the academic at the School of Policy and Global Affairs has refused to stop teaching, vowing that “no one is going to intimidate me”.
Professor Ben-Gad said one of his lessons on Wednesday was “invaded” by activists, who branded him a “terrorist” for his mandatory service in the IDF between 1982 and 1985,
He denied the claims of terrorism, however, saying that his “only crime” is being a Jew who resided in the Middle East.
Speaking to Sky News, Professor Ben-Gad said: “I finished my lecture and it was invaded by protesters who came right up to my face and called me a war criminal and a Nazi.
Pro-Palestine students disrupt the lecture of Michael Ben-Gad, an ex-Israeli soldier and current lecturer at City University in London.
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“They refused to leave, they were masked. One of them made a threat about having my head chopped off.”
He added: “My main concern is for people who are far more vulnerable than I am and I mean particularly Jewish students who have been targeted all over the country.
“I feel like if I give in to these people... the university has been fantastic, they have been supportive of me from the very start.”
The self-ascribed “Israeli patriot” was offered paid leave or the chance to “sit at home and work on my research”.
But Professor Ben-Gad responded: “Under the circumstances, I am carrying on with my duties. The students should expect nothing less from me.”
Last week, a petition by City Action for Palestine was launched calling for Professor Ben-Gad to be sacked for teaching Arab and Muslim students “despite being an active participant in murdering their people”.
I feel like if I give in to these people
The group also demanded an apology and for the university “to consider such fundamental matters when hiring in the future”.
Professor Ben-Gad previously taught at the University of Haifa and worked as an economist at the Bank of Israel.
A City St George's spokesman 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.”
