WATCH: UCL security removes hecklers at ambassador talk
Israeli ambassador Daniel Taub was heckled for five minutes at University College London this week before Palestinian supporters were forced from the room by security and he was allowed to finish speaking, reported the London Tab.
British-born Taub, who himself studied at UCL, was invited by the university’s International Relations Society, and was talking about Israel’s relations with the Palestinians and the Iranian nuclear programme when he was interrupted by two protestors. Several other students stood up to the protestors and demanded that the envoy be allowed to talk.
UCLU Friends of Palestine activist Layth Hanabli was among the agitators, and later called Taub “the representative of a terrorist state that is guilty of war crimes on a daily basis”
Following the event, which was chaired by UCL Philosophy Professor Daniel Rothschild, Jewish Society President Elliot Miller said Hanabli was “well-known for his lack of respect”. Among those who were there to listen, second-year economics student Daniel Gross said: “Their plan to disrupt the event only made them look pathetic and immature while the Ambassador remained calm and tried to discuss their points with them.” Another, Henry Tilbury, said: “I was also encouraged to see so many people of an apparently anti-Israel inclination there who listened with respect and asked sensible questions- it’s vital for people on all sides to try and understand other perspectives rather than trying to silence them.” The talk started 30 minutes late as police and a team of Israeli security agents went through the building to ensure the ambassador’s safety, as up to 30 protesters held placards and banners outside. Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do. For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain. Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life. You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with. 100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity... Engaging Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all. Celebrating There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride. Pioneering In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding. Campaigning Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance. Easy access In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people. Voice of our community to wider society The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large. We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
