Oxford Union partners with Palestinian group associated with alleged ‘Hamas operative’
Zaher Birawi, previously described as the chair of the Palestinian Forum in Britain, was sanctioned by the US government earlier this year over alleged ties to Hamas
The Oxford Union has partnered with a controversial Palestinian organisation led by a man previously accused in Parliament of being a “Hamas operative”.
As reported by The Telegraph, the prestigious debating society, decided on an Arabian theme for its annual May Ball – “Al-Andalus after dark”. At least one flyer advertising the event included the logo of the Palestinian Forum in Britain, with the group reportedly offering a “dabke” Palestinian dance session.
Zaher Birawi, previously described as the chair of the PFB, was sanctioned by the US government earlier this year over alleged ties to Hamas. Birawi is also a senior official of the Popular Conference for Palestinian Abroad, which was described by the US government as a Hamas front. Israel designated Birawi as a Hamas member back in 2013.
In 2023, Christian Wakeford, MP for Bury South, used Parliamentary privilege to name Birawi as one of four senior “Hamas operatives” in the UK. Birawi denied the claim and said he was looking at “all available legal recourse” in response to the MP’s comments.
Birawi and the PFB have been closely involved with a number of pro-Palestinian marches which have taken place in the UK over the last few years; Birawi himself was also involved in the creation of the Gaza flotilla in which the former environmental campaigner Greta Thunberg participated.
As reported by The Times last year, another individual named by Wakeford in Parliament as a “Hamas operative” was Ziad El Aloul, a past chair of the PFB, who was its sole named director when the organisation was registered with Companies House just over a decade ago.
The current chair of the Oxford Union is Arwa Elrayess, understood to be the first Palestinian chair of the 202 year old debating society.
A source within the Union told The Telegraph, “Arwa Elrayess campaigned on expanding engagement with Palestinian perspectives, which is entirely legitimate within a debating society. Yet, lobbying for pro-Palestine narratives in the chamber is one thing.
“Partnering this historic institution with a group like the PFB is a dangerous escalation. It is a betrayal of the Union’s rules, its members, and the safety of Jewish students on campus.”
A Union spokesperson said: “We are pleased to confirm that the entertainment on offer at the Oxford Union’s Trinity Term ball on 29 May 2026 ‘Al Andalus After Dark’ will include dabke dance classes delivered by the Palestine Forum in Britain; dabke is a Levantine dance form traditional in Palestinian communities.
“The ball is not being sponsored by Palestine Forum in Britain, but we are grateful for their partnership that allows us to offer this as part of the ball.”
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