Arizona State University scholar on leave after confrontation with woman at pro-Israel rally
TEMPE, Ariz.– Arizona State University officials say a postdoctoral researcher remains on leave while the school investigates his videotaped confrontation with a hijab-wearing woman at a pro-Israel rally last weekend.
Sunday’s event was held near the university’s Tempe campus and attended by Jonathan Yudelman, a scholar at ASU’s School of Civic and Economic Thought and Leadership.
Yudelman was identified on multiple social media platforms as being in a short cellphone video in which he argues and curses at the unidentified woman who appeared to be Muslim and was wearing a tan headscarf.
“I’m literally in your face. That’s right,” Yudelman tells the woman, who is seen in the video pulling away as he repeatedly approaches her.
After the woman tells Yudelman he doesn’t respect her religious boundaries, he responds, “You don’t respect my sense of humanity” and adds profanity.
The Arizona chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations has called on the university to fire Yudelman.
A statement posted Wednesday on ASU’s media relations web page said Yudelman was placed on leave Monday pending the outcome of an investigation into the video. It also said he is not allowed to go to campus, teach or interact with students or employees.
Yudelman “can no longer be on campus and will never teach here again,” ASU President Michael Crow said in a statement Thursday.
“The current investigation is being conducted in accordance with the university’s procedures for employee discipline,” the school’s statement said. “Arizona State University protects freedom of expression, but does not tolerate threatening or violent behavior. While peaceful protest is welcome, any incidents of violent or threatening behavior will be addressed.”
University officials said they referred the case to Tempe police for a criminal investigation since it took place on the city’s sidewalk.
Yudelman did not respond to several emails this week seeking comment about his situation.
He was interviewed by Phoenix television station KPNX before the confrontation and denounced what he described as “Jewish students being intimidated.”
In the interview, Yudelman also described pro-Palestinian protests at universities across the country as “campuses being taken over by supporters of terrorism.”