Prof. Moshe Zimmerman of Hebrew University\'s Institute of Languages, Literature and Art, said last week that he would not excuse students from class work merely because they were doing guard duty at Yesha checkpoints, but that he would excuse those who sit in prison for refusing to serve in Yesha. Prof. Eli Mertzbach, a mathematics professor in Bar Ilan University, explained to Arutz-7 today why he took a strong patriotic stand at one of his recent lectures:
\"I\'ve been teaching for 20 years and have never, despite my strong political beliefs, expressed myself politically. But this time, after hearing my colleague from Hebrew University, I decided that I would speak out as well. I walked into the class of over 100 students and told them that during these difficult times, many people are being called up to the army for reserve duty, and that if students need more help because of this, I would be glad to provide whatever help I can. I added that those who evade service or support those who refuse to serve would not receive my help, and that they can go to hell… Most of the students applauded my stand…\"
Mertzbach explained that he did not hesitate to use such strong language \"because I believe that those who refuse to serve cause great damage to those who are killed. The terrorists commit murderous attacks almost every single day, and they draw strength from those among us who refuse to serve. It is therefore a very grave phenomenon.\"