ISRAELI AMBASSADOR PICKETED AT QUEEN’S
ANGRY SCENES DURING UNIVERSITY PROTEST
THERE were angry scenes as pro-Palestinian protesters confronted the UK’s Israeli ambassador at Queen’s University, Belfast yesterday.
A protester was restrained and several others attempted to follow Mark Regev’s car after he left the university following a visit to speak to students.
Around 70 pro-Palestinian protesters gathered outside Queen’s as Mr Regev gave a talk to Masters students who study subjects related to politics and conflict resolution as part of a workshop.
Queen’s defended the invitation to Mr Regev, saying it permits freedom of thought and expression.
It added that Queen’s has also invited the Palestinian ambassador to the UK to visit the university and engage with students in a similar format.
The PSNI maintained a presence as protesters waved Palestinian flags and took part in chants such as “Free Palestine” and “Regev out” outside the building.
Earlier, a number of protesters took part in a sit-down demonstration blocking a corridor inside the university.
Ahead of the visit, Queen’s Students’ Union president Connor Veighey and People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll called for the invitation to Mr Regev to be rescinded.
Sinn Fein MLA Caoimhe Archibald also expressed “concern” by the decision to invite Mr Regev.
Queen’s Students’ Union student activities officer Robert Murtagh and People Before Profit Belfast councillor Matt Collins were among those who addressed the demonstration.
Mr Murtagh said they were protesting against Mr Regev because he is a representative of Israel.
He said Queen’s University Students’ Union backed the Boycott, Diand vestment Sanctions (BDS) movement, which calls for an international boycott of Israel over the way it treats Palestinians.
“We didn’t just wake up and decide to protest this,” he said.
“It is also policy for NUS-USI and the NUS UK, students across the UK and Ireland have said we want BDS, we are in favour of a Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement. “We oppose the continued occupation of Palestine, we oppose the human rights abuses against the people of the occupied territories and the people of Gaza. “Thanks to those who occupied the corridor earlier as well, these forms of non-violent direct action is how we will win, how we will defeat Israelis, because we will say soli- darity to the people of Palestine.”
Queen’s said: “Queen’s University, Belfast values its role in society as a place of debate and discussion.
“Academic freedom is enshrined as a guiding principle in the University’s Charter and Statutes.
“On Tuesday, October 16, UK Israeli ambassador Mark Regev met with students who study subjects related to politics and conflict resolution.
“The students had an opportunity to directly engage with the ambassador.
“The university recognises that students have the right to protest and in order to discuss the matter fully, representatives from Queen’s have met with the Students’ Union.”