Arizona State University sacks professor for assaulting Muslim woman

Arizona State University has dismissed a professor at ASU’s School of Civic and Economic Thought and Leadership after a video shows him confronting and cursing at a woman wearing a hijab during a pro-Israel rally on campus, ASU announced on Thursday.

“He is no longer permitted to be on campus and will never teach here again,” ASU President Michael Crow said in a statement to CNN regarding Jonathan Yudelman, who the university had placed on leave following the May 5 incident.

Yudelman, a scholar at ASU’s School of Civic and Economic Thought and Leadership, gained notoriety in a viral video circulating across multiple social media platforms. The footage captured him hurling insults at a woman wearing a hijab.

“I’m literally in your face — that’s right,” Yudelman can be heard saying as the woman stepped back.

In response, the woman expressed, “You’re disrespecting my religious boundaries.” The professor retorted with profanity, stating, “You disrespect my sense of humanity, b—–.”

Following the incident, the school placed the professor on leave, prohibiting him from accessing campus, teaching classes, or engaging with students or staff.

Before this occurrence, Yudelman had already resigned from his position, effective June 30, as per the university. Notably, he wasn’t slated to teach any courses during the summer, according to ASU’s spokesperson.

The institution escalated the matter to the Tempe Police Department for a criminal investigation, as confirmed by the ASU spokesperson.

“Arizona State University upholds freedom of speech and expression but condemns threatening or violent conduct,” the school emphasized in a statement. “While peaceful protest is encouraged, any instance of violent or threatening behavior will be dealt with accordingly.”