An Arizona State University researcher has been placed on leave while the university investigates a heated confrontation captured on video of him swearing at a woman wearing a hijab.
Viral video from the rally shows Jonathan Yudelman, the postdoctoral fellow, approaching a woman wearing a hijab. Yudelman has his arms raised and says, “I’m literally in your face — that’s right.”
The unidentified woman steps back with her hands in front of her and tries to move away from Yudelman and another man, who was also filming.
She tells them that they are disrespecting her religious boundaries.
“You disrespect my sense of humanity, bitch,” Yudelman responds.
In the video, the other man, who is not affiliated with the university, tells her, “You don’t like it, go back to jihad.”
The university said in a statement that Yudelman is on leave pending the outcome of an investigation into the incident.
The altercation happened on Sunday during a pro-Israel rally in Tempe, Arizona. The school said the investigation is following the university’s procedures for disciplining employees.
The university said that because the exact incident happened on a city sidewalk rather than on campus, the matter has also been referred to the Tempe Police Department for a criminal investigation.
Yudelman was placed on leave Monday and “is not permitted to come to campus, teach classes or interact with students or staff.”
Before the videotaped incident, Yudelman resigned from his position effective June 30, the university said. He was not scheduled to teach additional courses during the summer until the date of his dismissal.
“Arizona State University protects free speech but does not tolerate threatening or violent behavior,” the university said. “While peaceful protest is welcome, all incidents of violent or threatening behavior will be addressed.”
Arizona State is one of many college campuses across the country that have seen demonstrations in recent weeks by pro-Palestinian protesters calling on the university to divest from Israel.
Students filed a lawsuit against the university for violating their rights to free speech after demonstrations on campus led to dozens of arrests, The Arizona Republic reported.
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