Students Blocked from UCL Event Amid Anti-Israel Protest

A group of students was prevented from attending a Jewish history event at University College London (UCL) due to a protest by anti-Israel demonstrators. On the afternoon of October 7, 2023, activists gathered outside a campus building, chanting slogans such as “Zionism off campus” and “Crush the Zionist settler state.” The protest escalated, with masked individuals blocking entry to the venue where an Israeli speaker was scheduled to present.

The gathering disrupted an event organized by the UCL Friends of Israel Society and Camera (the Committee for Accuracy in Middle East Reporting & Analysis) on Campus UK. The speaker, Adiel Cohen, a Yemenite-Israeli influencer, was set to discuss his family’s experiences of antisemitic violence in Yemen. Following the protest, UCL President and Provost Dr. Michael Spence issued an apology to affected students, emphasizing the university’s commitment to free speech and condemning the antisemitic chants that emerged during the demonstration.

As the protest unfolded, several students were unable to enter the venue, while others felt intimidated by the demonstrators. Evlyn, a UCL student who helped organize the event, reported that the university’s Students’ Union had provided information about the event to anti-Israel groups. “We vetted every single person who requested tickets,” she stated, expressing frustration that protesters still managed to locate the new venue after the event’s location was changed to avoid disruption.

During the talk, security measures were discussed, including a potential evacuation plan through an emergency exit. The atmosphere remained tense, with Evlyn recalling that she had to reassure attendees amid ongoing chants from outside. “Jewish students and other attendees felt very threatened,” she noted.

Dr. Spence remarked on the incident, stating, “Freedom of speech is not only a legal right but the cornerstone of academic and student life. We are firmly committed to upholding it and are investigating the full circumstances of this incident.” He asserted that any individuals found responsible for obstructing the event would face disciplinary action.

The protest at UCL follows a similar incident at City St George’s University, where Economics Professor Michael Ben-Gad faced hostility from anti-Israel protesters. The growing trend of such protests on university campuses has raised concerns among academic institutions regarding the safety and freedom of expression for all students.

Kurt Schwartz, CEO of Camera, expressed his dismay that students were intimidated or prevented from attending the event. “It is horrifying that some students were blocked or scared away from attending the event we co-hosted,” he stated, adding that the calls for Israel’s destruction during the protest highlight a growing climate of hostility. Schwartz emphasized the importance of supporting Jewish self-determination and condemned the normalization of protests that incite violence against Jews.

The incident at UCL has drawn attention to the challenges faced by universities in balancing free speech with the need to ensure a safe and inclusive environment for all students. Dr. Spence reaffirmed the university’s stance against antisemitism and urged anyone witnessing such conduct to report it.

As UCL navigates the aftermath of this protest, the university remains committed to fostering a space where diverse viewpoints can be expressed without fear of intimidation. The incident serves as a reminder of the ongoing tensions surrounding discussions of Israel and Palestine, particularly in academic settings.