Hebrew University lecturer attacks student for wearing IDF uniform

The Zionist organization Im Tirtzu responded to the incident in a statement the following day, calling on the education minister to fire the lecturer.

By Adina Katz, World Israel News

Apparently in defense of an Arab student, a Hebrew University of Jerusalem lecturer berated a female IDF soldier on Tuesday for wearing her uniform to class.

The lecturer followed the soldier, who was verbally attacked by an Arab student, into the hallway and reportedly told her, “You cannot be naive and ask to be treated as a civilian when you are in uniform. You are a soldier in the Israeli army, and you will be treated accordingly.”

The soldier responded that she had no interest in discussing politics and that she was serving in the IDF to protect the State of Israel, i24 News reported.

After complaints from the student union, the management and lecturer – later identified as Dr. Carola Hilfrich, senior lecturer at the Hebrew University and founder of the Graduate Program in Cultural Studies – apologized.

“It is shameful to see that students receive humiliating reactions because they wear uniforms. In recent years, we have been working hard to promote the rights of students and those who serve in the reserves,” the student union stated, according to Ynet. “Despite the political differences and arguments, we expect lecturers and students to show empathy.”

The Zionist organization Im Tirtzu responded to the incident in a statement the following day, calling on the education minister to fire the lecturer.

“This is a new low in Israeli academia,” the statement said. “If the academic code of ethics is not enforced, it will be useless and will not bring about any change. We call upon Education Minister Bennett to immediately intervene and fire this violent lecturer. Such acts against uniformed soldiers cannot be tolerated.”

Im Tirtzu organized a demonstration of students on campus Wednesday afternoon, demanding respect for IDF soldiers.