Professor David Newman, dean of the humanities and social sciences department at Ben-Gurion University, is facing disciplinary proceedings after being accused of sexual harassment by a student.

Rivka Carmi, the university’s president, decided to approve the disciplinary process after a preliminary inquiry was carried out.

The complainant, who has been a student in one of the departments where Mr Newman teaches, alleges that the professor serially harassed both her and some of her colleagues.

In a brief telephone conversation, Mr Newman claimed that the accusations were completely fabricated. He added that that he firmly believed the university investigation would totally exonerate him.

He expressed his deep disappointment that the issue had been leaked to the press before any such investigation had been held.