City University ramps up security after posters appear criticising professor’s IDF service

City St George’s, University of London, has increased its security after posters appeared criticising a professor’s former service with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).

Student group City Action for Palestine has targeted the Israeli professor with the posters, as well as chants calling him a “terrorist”.

The professor in question, Professor Michael Ben Gad, teaches economics at the university.

Professor Michael Ben Gad via YouTube

Launching its petition last week, City Action for Palestine, a group not affiliated with the university, demanded he be “fired immediately” for serving in the IDF between 1982 and 1985.

The campaign, which included demonstrations inside buildings and an online petition calling for his removal, follows the ceasefire agreement in Gaza.

Posters and leaflets shared on campus showed his photo under the word “terrorist” on a blood-stained background. 

The group accused the university of “allowing a terrorist to teach Arab and Muslim students despite being an active participant in murdering their people.”

Footage posted online showed masked protesters chanting “sack him now” and demanding his dismissal.

In other videos, protesters marched through the corridors calling for the termination of his contract.

City University has now stepped up security at Ben-Gad’s lectures, the Daily Mail reports. 

Hundreds of academics have since voiced support for Ben-Gad, including professors from Oxford, Imperial and UCL signing a joint open statement.

It reads: “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.”

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Some academics also turned to X in solidarity with Ben-Gad, urging others to sign the open letter.

via X

Ben-Gad said: “If the objective of the demonstration was to frighten or intimidate me, they’ll have to try a lot harder. I lectured this week as usual and plan to do so next week.”

He added while students have a right to express opinions, “they do not have a right to disrupt, harass, threaten or physically intimidate” emphasising how they “crossed a very red line”.

This incident follows similar pro-Palestine protests amid ongoing tensions at UK universities, since the escalation of Israeli violence in Palestine.

At other London institutions, speakers with connections to Israel face calls to be disinvited or have events cancelled.

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 are investigating the incident. 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.”

Featured image via YouTube