NEW YORK, May 12: A highly regarded academic has been suspended from his university position after being recorded engaging in aggressive harassment and abuse towards a Muslim woman, allegedly constituting a hate crime stemming from his pro-Israel stance. Jonathan Yudelman, a Zionist and Jewish professor of Political Theory at Arizona State University, faced suspension following the emergence of a video featuring him alongside a well-known Israeli reservist, engaging in taunting and hurling personal and religious insults at the woman.

The widely circulated footage from Arizona depicted Yudelman, previously associated with prestigious institutions like Princeton and Harvard universities and recently serving at the School of Civic and Economic Thought and Leadership at Arizona State University, in a troubling confrontation. Accompanied by Sammy Ben, an Israeli soldier linked to actions in Gaza, Yudelman is seen aggressively advancing towards a Muslim woman in a hijab who appears to be attempting to avoid the altercation and objecting to the verbal abuse.

While much of Yudelman's speech is overshadowed by Ben's louder remarks, including phrases like "Go back to Iran" and "Go back to jihad," Yudelman's mockery of the woman's objections and disregard for her religious boundaries are evident. Amidst the confrontation, Yudelman interrupts the woman's words with dismissive remarks, including, "I'm literally in your face, that's right!" and proceeds to mock her accent. Despite the woman's plea that he is disrespecting her religious boundaries, Yudelman persists with derogatory comments, further escalating the situation.

In response to bystanders labeling the incident a hate crime, Ben and Yudelman confront them, with Ben questioning their views on past Israeli-Palestinian conflicts and challenging them to reveal their identities. Another bystander's plea for Palestinian freedom prompts a dismissive response from Ben, raising questions about the intended target of his remarks.

The conduct displayed by Yudelman raises significant concerns regarding his ethics and professionalism, prompting his employer to suspend him pending an investigation. Alongside his academic position, Yudelman's affiliation with the Tikvah Fund, a Zionist organization, and his past social media activity sharing anti-Muslim and anti-Palestinian content, further compound the situation.

The video, initially shared by the Gaza Notifications account on social media, has sparked widespread outrage and calls for accountability. It serves as a stark reminder of the importance of upholding principles of respect and tolerance within academic settings, as institutions strive to maintain a safe and inclusive environment for all individuals.