- Professor Jonathan Yudelman has been placed on leave following a video which has been circulating on social media.
- Yudelman faces investigation after being captured hurling abuse at a Muslim woman.
An Arizona State University faculty member has been suspended following a despicable incident which transpired on Sunday.
Jonathan Yudelman, a Jewish, pro-Israeli post-doctorate research scholar, was captured on video aggressively hurling abuse at the Muslim woman and positioning himself into an alarmingly confrontational stance with the woman. This reprehensible behaviour was caught on film during a pro-Israel demonstration near campus.
In the recorded incident, the Muslim woman expressed that Yudelman was disrespecting her religious boundaries. He retorted, “You disrespect my sense of humanity, b**ch!”. Yudelman appeared to persist in following the woman as she attempted to walk away.
The video has since been circulating on social media platforms. Many have been urging the university to terminate Yudelman’s employment. Yudelman, who previously taught courses at ASU, including “Great Debates in American Politics” and “Great Ideas in Politics and Ethics,” is currently on leave pending the outcome of the university’s investigation.
In an interview with 12News prior to the confrontation, Yudelman stated his presence at the pro-Israel rally was to counter the messaging of pro-Palestine demonstrators nationwide.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) has called for Yudelman’s dismissal and arrest. Azza Abuseif, Executive Director of CAIR-AZ, condemned Yudelman’s harassment of an American Muslim woman and urged ASU to terminate his employment if the allegations are confirmed. Additionally, CAIR called for law enforcement to conduct an investigation and pursue any appropriate criminal charges.
CAIR’s statement reads:
“Sadly, the disgusting and dangerous behavior captured on camera is not an isolated incident, but part of a broader pattern of Islamophobia and religious intolerance weaponized by pro-Israel, pro-genocide extremists. Such behavior is not only discriminatory but also violates the fundamental principles of academic integrity and respect for diversity that professors should uphold inside and outside of the classroom.”
“ASU must take swift and decisive action to address this matter. So must local law enforcement.”
Amid pro-Palestinian protests on university campuses across the US, police disbanded a pro-Palestinian tent encampment at the University of Chicago, citing safety concerns.
Since April 18, over 2,600 individuals have been arrested on the campuses of 50 colleges and universities. Many online have criticised the police for arresting pro-Palestine advocates and not the perpetrators.
