Israel Activist Assaulted at UK University

Richard Millett, an ardent activist, friend of HonestReporting and former SOAS student, who regularly stands up for Israel at hostile anti-Israel meetings across London, was abused and subjected to an horrendous ordeal at a Palestine Society meeting at the School of African and Oriental Studies (SOAS). Here is a link to his blog where he reports on the incident and shows video footage of it. http://richardmillett.wordpress.com/2012/05/15/camera-grabbed-rucksack-snatched-and-racially-abused-at-soas/

This all took place in a room full of people – who taunted Richard – as well as speakers, Karma Nabulsi and Abdel-Bari Atwan, who are both well known on the anti-Israel circuit. Nabulsi teaches at Oxford University and is a former PLO representative while Atwan is a Palestinian journalist. Atwan is known for making the following statement: “If the Iranian missiles strikeIsrael – by Allah, I will go to Trafalgar Square and dance with delight if the Iranian missiles strike Israel.”

Unfortunately, this is not the first incident of this nature to take place on the SOAS campus. Last year a pro-Israel supporter was physically attacked and bitten.

Last night’s incident must not pass without comment and we need to highlight the dangerous atmosphere that exists on British campuses for anyone who is prepared to stand up for Israel. We urge you to do one or all of the following:

1. If you are in the UK, please write to your MP and ask what he/she is going to do about this.
2. Complain to the Director of SOAS, Professor Paul Webley – email: [email protected]; tel: +44 207 898 4014.
3. Complain to Vice Chancellor of Oxford University, Andrew Hamilton – email – [email protected];  tel: +44 1865 270252
4. Complain to the President of the National Union of Students, Liam Burns – email – [email protected]