ASU protest: Man seen in confrontation video 'will never teach here again'

TEMPE, Ariz. - The President of Arizona State University says a postdoctoral research scholar "will never teach" at the university again in the aftermath of 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 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 as being in a brief cellphone video that shows him arguing and cursing at the unidentified woman who appeared to be a Muslim wearing a tan-colored head scarf.

"I’m literally in your face. That’s right," Yudelman tells the woman, who is seen in the video backing away as he repeatedly advances toward her.

After the woman tells Yudelman that he’s disrespecting her religious boundaries, he replies "you disrespect my sense of humanity" and adds a profanity.

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

Per a statement provided to us by ASU officials, Yudelman had already resigned from his positions at ASU prior to the May 5 incident. The resignation was due to take effect on June 30.

"He was placed on leave on Monday, May 6. As a result, he is not permitted to come to campus, teach classes, or interact with students or employees," the statement read, in part. "ASU has also referred this matter, which took place on a city sidewalk, to the Tempe Police Department for a criminal investigation."

ASU officials also said they protect freedom of speech and expression, but that they do not tolerate threatening or violent behavior.

"While peaceful protest is welcome, all incidents of violent or threatening behavior will be addressed," read a portion of the statement.

The Associated Press (AP) contributed to this report.