A heated debate at the Oxford Union descended into chaos Thursday evening as pro-Israel speakers were shouted down, and a Palestinian activist dramatically exited in protest over the participation of a former IDF informant.
The divisive motion, “This house believes Israel is an apartheid state responsible for genocide,” passed overwhelmingly, with 278 votes in favor and 59 against, amidst charged exchanges both within and outside the chamber.
Some Jewish students reportedly felt unsafe attending the event due to the hostile atmosphere. James Marlow, posting on X, remarked on the toxicity of the environment, citing a significant presence of keffiyehs and hijabs in the audience.
The opposition team featured British barrister Natasha Hausdorff of UK Lawyers for Israel, broadcaster Jonathan Sacerdoti, former Hamas member turned IDF informant Mosab Hassan Yousef, and Arab-Israeli journalist Yoseph Haddad. They debated against Union President Ebrahim Osman Mowafy, Israeli-American activist Miko Peled, Palestinian poet Mohammed El-Kurd, and writer Susan Abulhawa.
Protesters organized by Oxford Action for Palestine gathered outside, chanting anti-Israel slogans that resonated within the chamber. Demonstrators declared, "Zionists are not welcome in Oxford," adding to the already charged atmosphere of the debate.
* The Jewish Chronicle contributed to this article.
