UK
‘Do I look traumatised? No, I am very angry’: Israeli professor Michael Ben-Gad remains defiant after ‘beheading’ threat
The Israeli academic has faced a targeted campaign of intimidation – but won’t be cowed
October 27, 2025 12:18
The Israeli academic has faced a targeted campaign of intimidation – but won’t be cowed
October 27, 2025 12:18Israeli professor Michael Ben-Gad, who has faced threats from students at the London university where he lectures, has ridiculed those responsible, reading out a mock “apology” for undertaking military service, a “term” he said was dictated by the mob in order to “have [his] life back”.
Ben-Gad, a professor of economics at City, St George’s, University of London, laughed off the threats from those he characterised as “thugs” in a defiant interview, demonstrating once again that he will not be bullied or intimidated.
In recent weeks, the lecturer has faced a targeted campaign to oust him from his job – which has included posters on campus branding him a “terrorist”, a masked mob storming his classroom and even a threat to behead him.
However speaking to comedian Josh Howie on his GB News show Free Speech Nation, the academic – who was conscripted to serve in the IDF in the 1980s – once again made it clear that he is not going anywhere, and far from feeling scared, he is merely angry on behalf of his students.
Recounting the latest developments, Ben-Gad said: "They are now offering me ‘terms’: I can have my life back if I apologise for my military service.”
He then went on the deliver his “apology” to camera, opening with the line “Good evening, thugs”.
Far from apologising for his IDF service, which took place from 1982 to 1985, Ben-Gad said that although as an Israeli citizen military service was compulsory, “for most of us, conscription merely absolved us of the need to volunteer.”
He then added: “I was born less than 20 years after nearly my entire family was gassed at Treblinka. And personally, I would have crawled over cut glass to get to that induction centre, to put on the uniform and defend my people.”
Ben-Gad, who has worked at the university since 2008, said that City had offered him paid leave and joked that although it was “very tempting” as as an academic with “a lot of research projects”, he was determined to turn up to “every single lecture”, adding that the institution was working to bolster his security to make sure that could happen.
He added: "Do I look traumatised? No, I am very angry.”
Some 1,600 academics, writers and political figures have come out to defend Ben-Gad in recent days.
The professor also revealed that he had spoken to Jewish students at the university, saying he was “so impressed by their dignity, their maturity.”
Speaking to the JC last week, Ben-Gad said: “They picked the wrong professor at the wrong university.”
'The lunatics have come to run these places.'
— GB News (@GBNEWS) October 27, 2025
Professor of Economics at City St George's, University of London Professor Ben-Gad explains the incident where he was confronted by pro-Palestine intruders during one of his lectures, and the concern he has for free speech. pic.twitter.com/c80GbX5NfA
In a statement the university said: “City St George’s fully support 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.”
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