After being told to apologize for his IDF service, Israeli academic Michael Ben-Gad delivers a blistering defense of Israel and Jewish dignity, declaring he would have “crawled over cut glass” to defend his people.
In a powerful and defiant stand against academic intimidation, Israeli-born Professor Michael Ben-Gad of City St. George’s, University of London, has gone viral after rejecting calls from anti-Israel activists to “apologize” for his service in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
Appearing on GB News, Ben-Gad revealed that he had been approached with a chilling “offer” — he could “have his life back” if he renounced his military service. But instead of capitulating, he delivered what he called his “apology.”
“Good evening, thugs,” he began coolly. “As a citizen, I was obligated to serve. I was born less than twenty years after nearly my entire family was gassed at Treblinka. I would have crawled over cut glass to get to that induction center to put on the uniform and defend my people. Have a nice evening.”
The unapologetic declaration — both solemn and searing — has since been hailed as one of the most powerful defenses of Jewish pride and Israeli legitimacy in the face of rising campus antisemitism across the UK.
Ben-Gad’s remarks came days after masked anti-Israel extremists stormed his lecture, shouting “blood on your hands” and issuing threats — including one protester allegedly shouting he would “chop off [the professor’s] head.” Video footage from the incident shows demonstrators waving Palestinian flags, chanting slogans glorifying violence, before being removed by security.
In his GB News interview, Ben-Gad reflected on the climate of fear gripping Western campuses, where pro-Israel voices are increasingly targeted.
University officials later confirmed that the intruders were not affiliated with the institution, and condemned the incident in the strongest terms.
“They tried to intimidate me into silence. But I’m an unapologetic Israeli patriot,” he said. “And I’ve come to really love this country because I’ve learned what kind of people the British are.”
Rejecting an offer of paid leave, Ben-Gad insisted on returning to the classroom immediately.
“Under the circumstances, I insisted I will turn up to every single lecture,” he said, noting that his greatest concern is for Jewish students facing growing hostility. “I met with some of them last night — their dignity and maturity moved me. You should be very proud of them. I certainly am.”
The show of resolve has inspired an outpouring of solidarity from across the academic world. More than 1,000 scholars have signed an open letter condemning the harassment campaign against Ben-Gad, while St. George’s University reaffirmed its “zero tolerance” policy toward antisemitic harassment, pledging to defend free expression on campus.
Ben-Gad’s defiant “apology” now stands as a defining moment — a reminder that Jewish pride and Israeli patriotism need no apology, least of all to those who glorify hatred under the guise of activism.
