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.’
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
— GB News (@GBNEWS) October 27, 2025
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.”