Arizona State University officials said a postdoctoral fellow remains on administrative leave as the school investigates a video recording of him clashing with a woman wearing a hijab at a pro-Israel rally last weekend.
Sunday’s event was held near the university’s Tempe campus and was attended by Jonathan Yudelman, a scholar in the ASU School of Civic, Economic Thought and Leadership.
Yudelman was identified on multiple social media platforms as appearing in a short cell phone video in which he appears in a short cellphone video arguing and cursing an unidentified woman, believed to be Muslim, wearing a tan headscarf. Ta.
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“I’m literally in your face, you’re right,” Yudelman tells the woman, and the video shows him backing away and then advancing toward her multiple times.
When the woman told Yudelman that he was disrespecting her religious boundaries, Yudelman responded, “You are disrespecting my humanity,” and added profanity.
The Arizona chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations called on the university to fire Yudelman.
June 26, 2004, Arizona State University campus in Tempe. (Rob Schumacher/Republic/USA TODAY NETWORK)
Yudelman has been placed on administrative leave starting Monday pending the outcome of an investigation into the video, according to a statement posted Wednesday on the school’s media relations webpage. He also said he is not allowed to go to campus, teach classes or interact with students or employees.
“The current investigation is being conducted in accordance with the university’s staff disciplinary procedures,” the statement added. “Arizona State University protects freedom of speech and expression, but does not tolerate threatening or violent behavior. Peaceful protests are welcome, but all incidents of violent or threatening behavior will be dealt with.”
University officials said they have asked the Tempe Police Department to conduct a criminal investigation because the incident occurred on a city sidewalk.
Yudelman did not respond to several emails this week seeking comment on his situation.
He was interviewed by Phoenix television station KPNX before the confrontation, denouncing what he described as “the intimidation of Jewish students.”
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In the interview, Yudelman also said of the pro-Palestinian protests occurring at universities across the country, “Campuses are being taken over by terrorist sponsors.”
