Royal Society of Arts apologises for hosting Israel event

The Royal Society of Arts has apologised for hosting an event supporting UK-Israel ties, insisting it is an “apolitical” venue – despite hosting the Christmas party for a Conservative think-tank just days earlier.

Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden and the Israeli ambassador to the UK, Tzipi Hotovely, were among those appearing at the event to foster ties between the two countries.

The arts organisation said it “neither condones nor endorses” the event which it claims was held by an “external client who did not disclose the full event details in advance”.

A statement posted on the RSA’s social media said: “An event was held at the RSA today by an external client who did not disclose the full event details in advance.

“The RSA neither condones nor endorses this event. We are an apolitical organisation and have launched an internal investigation.

“We apologise extensively to anyone affected and upset by this today and will ensure that robust measure are put in place in the future to ensure this will not happen again.”

Days earlier the “apolitical” venue hosted the Christmas party for Onward – a centre-right think tank that produces research on economic and social issues.

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators gathered outside the building in central London on Thursday to protest over the event.

The Metropolitan Police said officers attended the event on Thursday afternoon and one man was arrested who was “not believed to be part of the protest”.

A spokesperson for the force said: “Officers arrived quickly on scene to a demonstration being held outside the Royal Society of Arts in John Adam Street, WC2.

“We imposed conditions on the group at 1328, and they moved away from the property by 1338. Officers remain on scene.

“One man, not believed to be part of the protest, was arrested for section 5 of the Public Order Act having been asked to leave the event at the property by security.”

Jewish News has twice contacted the RSA for comment.