ASU researchers are under investigation because confrontation is not allowed on campus

Arizona State University officials say a postdoctoral researcher remains on leave while the school investigates his videotaped confrontation with a hijab-wearing woman 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 at ASU’s School of Civic and Economic Thought and Leadership.

Yudelman was identified on multiple social media platforms in a short cellphone video that shows him arguing with and swearing at the unidentified woman, who appeared to be a Muslim woman wearing a tan headscarf.

“I’m literally right in your face. That’s right,” Yudelman says to the woman, who can be seen in the video backing away as he repeatedly advances toward her.

After the woman tells Yudelman that he disrespects her religious boundaries, he responds, “You respect my sense of humanity,” adding an obscenity.

The Arizona chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations has called on the university to fire Yudelman.

A statement posted Wednesday on ASU’s media relations website said Yudelman was placed on leave Monday pending the outcome of an investigation into the video. He is also not permitted to enter campus, teach courses or interact with students or staff.

Yudelman “is no longer permitted to be on campus and will never teach here again,” ASU President Michael Crow said in a statement Thursday.

“The current investigation is being conducted in accordance with the University’s procedures for disciplining employees,” the school’s statement continued. “Arizona State University protects freedom of speech and expression but does not tolerate threatening or violent behavior. While peaceful protest is welcome, any incidents of violent or threatening behavior will be addressed.”

University officials said they referred the matter to Tempe police for a criminal investigation because it occurred on a sidewalk in the city.

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 and decried what he described as “intimidation of Jewish students.”

In the interview, Yudelman also described pro-Palestinian protests at universities across the country as “takeovers of campuses by supporters of terrorism.”