According to media reports, Dr. Sebastian Ben Daniel, a teaching fellow in the Department of Computer Science at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, has been suspended from his position "until further notice" or "until the conclusion of the inquiry into his case." The suspension followed social media posts made under the pseudonym "John Brown," in which Dr. Ben Daniel expressed strong criticism of actions taken by IDF soldiers in Gaza. His suspension came after a petition was submitted to the university administration, signed by over a thousand students demanding his dismissal. The petition was initiated and led by activists from the right-wing movement "Im Tirtzu," which also orchestrated the signature campaign.
In its initial response to the media, the university clarified that it disapproved of and condemned Dr. Ben Daniel's statements, but also noted that "as horrific as these statements may be, they were not made in the context of Dr. Ben Daniel’s academic work." However, on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, the university president posted on social media, stating that Dr. Ben Daniel’s remarks had deeply offended the university community and that the matter had been referred to the university administration for further handling. The following day, Dr. Ben Daniel was summoned to a meeting with the university’s rector, at the end of which he was suspended — without having been provided prior notice of the allegations against him and without being granted a proper hearing, as required by law.
the-suspension-of-dr-sebastian-ben-danielThe Israeli Law Professors' Forum for Democracy emphasizes that the most important aspect of the right to freedom of expression is the protection of controversial speech, including statements that may be offensive or disturbing. Such statements do not constitute unlawful incitement. The campaign led by "Im Tirtzu" and other groups demonstrates that it was public pressure — not the content of the statements themselves — that led the university to reverse its initial position and suspend Dr. Ben Daniel. In doing so, the university failed to uphold its duty and role as a pluralistic institution committed to protecting freedom of expression.
Moreover, any decision to suspend an employee requires, at the very least, a hearing in which the allegations are presented to the employee and an opportunity is provided to respond — if and when the institution decides to initiate disciplinary proceedings. The Forum calls on the university administration to act in accordance with the law and to immediately reverse its decision to suspend Dr. Ben Daniel.
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