‘Shameful’ anti-Israel protest condemned

THE ATTEMPTS of anti-Israel activists to disrupt a talk by a former Israeli Deputy Prime Minister at a London university this week have been condemned.

Dan Meridor, who served in Benjamin Netanyahu’s cabinet from 2009 until 2013, spoke at the King’s College (KCL) campus in the Strand at an event co-hosted by the Pinsker Centre and the KCL and City University Israel Societies.

Video footage showed scores of student activists lining the hallway outside Mr Meridor’s talk chanting loudly, waving placards and shouting anti-Israel slogans.

An argument also broke out at the entrance to the building, with a number of protesters raising complaints that they were denied access to the lecture, titled “Threats and Challenges”.

Tamara Berens, president of KCL’s Israel Society, said that students left the lecture to “fingers pointed in our faces”.

She added: “They came onto campus with one aim; to intimidate us and shut down our event.

“We have nothing to be ashamed about. The shameful behaviour was that of protesters who do not respect the right of Israelis to free speech. It is disgraceful that in 2018, Jewish university Anti-Israel activists shout at Jewish students attending the lecture

students should be made to feel afraid or ashamed to walk freely on campus.”

Students heard Mr Meridor discuss his time in office, including his account of the failed peace process attempt orchestrated by then-US Secretary of State John Kerry.

The Union of Jewish Students condemned what it called “shameful scenes” outside the lecture theatre, accusing demonstrators of attempting to intimidate attendees. A UJS spokesperson said the union was “seeking constructive actions” from KCL.

Jonathan Arkush, Board of Deputies president, said he would be in contact with Professor Edward Byrne, the KCL principal, to “gain assurances that there will be no repeat”.

KCL said police were not called to the event and no protesters were escorted from the campus. It defended its procedures for holding such events and a spokesman said: “We are proud of our diverse community and are absolutely committed to academic freedom and free, peaceful and respectful dialogue where people have conflicting views.”