The Oxford Union is facing mounting criticism for not releasing the video recording of a recent speech by Mosab Hassan Yousef, a prominent speaker and former Hamas insider, with high-profile figures accusing the prestigious debating society of deliberately suppressing the content.
Author and political commentator Douglas Murray has publicly condemned the Union's decision, suggesting the institution might be withholding the video because it could expose attendees to scrutiny under UK anti-terrorism laws. Murray's allegations stem from the audience's reported reaction to Yousef's speech.
The controversy deepened when reports emerged of attempts by the Oxford Union's president to remove Yousef from the podium mid-speech, drawing sharp criticism from several observers. Multiple witnesses, including speakers Yoseph Haddad and Natasha Hausdorff, have joined Murray in demanding the immediate release of the uncensored footage.
According to accounts from those present, the event was marked by hostile behavior from some audience members toward Yousef, who is known for his work with Israeli intelligence after leaving Hamas. Critics argue that withholding the video serves to protect not only disruptive audience members but also the Union's leadership from potential embarrassment over their handling of the situation.
Yousef, who has gained international recognition for his unique perspective as the son of a Hamas founder who later worked to prevent terrorist attacks, has not yet publicly commented on the Union's decision to withhold the recording.
The Oxford Union, historically known as a bastion of free speech and robust debate, has not provided an official explanation for its decision to keep the video private.
The debate's other participants, including Haddad and Hausdorff, continue to press for transparency, insisting that the full video should be released to show both the audience's behavior and the president's controversial actions in their entirety.
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