Gaza Genocide23 October, 20252 min read
Pro-Palestinian Students Threaten Israeli Professor With Beheading Over Military Service in London
This article is an automated aggregation of coverage from news outlets. Our editorials offer in-depth analysis curated by the NewsCord team.
Masked pro-Palestinian protesters stormed Professor Michael Ben-Gad's lecture at City University London. Protesters threatened to behead Ben-Gad and labeled him a war criminal for his 1980s IDF service.
9 outlets told this the same way.
Outlets did split on Thousands March in London Calling for Britain to Stop Arming Israel and Impose Sanctions →
Activist Threats Against Economist
Pro-Palestinian student activists in London targeted City, University of London economist Michael Ben-Gad over his past service in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). The threats against him escalated to a beheading threat and disruptive actions in his classroom. Sky News reports that he has refused to resign despite receiving serious threats, including one involving decapitation.
“Mr. Ben-Gad has refused to resign despite receiving serious threats, including one involving decapitation.”
Israel Hayom details that he was attacked by masked pro-Palestinian protesters during a lecture, who threatened him and demanded his dismissal. VINnews says activists accused him of complicity in Israeli military actions and called for his dismissal. Both The College Fix and VINnews note that some activists labeled him a terrorist.
University Support for Ben-Gad
The university and the academic community publicly backed Ben-Gad. Israel Hayom reports the administration condemned the intimidation, supporting free expression but not harassment. VINnews says the university supports him by offering paid leave, but he insists on fulfilling his duties.
VINnews adds that leadership, including President Prof Sir Anthony Finkelstein, has strongly backed Ben-Gad. The College Fix documents broad scholarly solidarity with about 1,100 signatures on a petition opposing a targeted harassment campaign. Sky News notes Ben-Gad’s own account of widespread backing, saying he highlighted the substantial global support he has received.
Activist Groups and Military Allegations
Activist groups targeted by the petition include the Association of Student Activism for Palestine and City Action for Palestine. The College Fix describes the effort as a “targeted harassment campaign.” Israel Hayom reports that City Action for Palestine accused Ben-Gad and the IDF of ethnic cleansing and violence against Palestinians.
Protesters also alleged war crimes and involvement in Sabra and Shatila. VINnews adds that student protesters accused Ben-Gad of complicity in Israeli military actions and demanded his dismissal. Sky News highlights Ben-Gad’s response, noting he is proud of his military service in the Israel Defense Forces.
Regional Context of Campus Incident
Several outlets place the campus episode within wider regional timing and geopolitics. VINnews notes protests coincided with a ceasefire and hostage release, suggesting extremist motivations behind the campaign. Tachles reports regional developments including a hub to manage goods entering Gaza and a U.S. assurance it will not send ground troops into the Gaza Strip.
Tachles also mentions that a militant group handed over the body of a presumed killed hostage to the ICRC. Israel Hayom situates the campus clash amid broader geopolitical developments involving US and UK actions related to Israel and Russia. Sky News centers Ben-Gad’s stance rather than regional timelines, though it contextualizes his comments about defense.
Ben-Gad's Continued Teaching Amid Opposition
Ben-Gad remains on the job despite the threats. Sky News says he has refused to resign, described his opponents as a small radical faction, and affirmed students’ right to his service. Israel Hayom says he expressed pride in his IDF service and vowed to continue teaching.
“Mr. Ben-Gad has refused to resign despite receiving serious threats, including one involving decapitation.”
VINnews reports he is continuing to teach and condemning harassment and intimidation against him and vulnerable Jewish students. The College Fix notes hundreds of scholars worldwide are supporting him and opposing the campaign to oust him.
