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Ministers and senior Conservatives have condemned the treatment of Ambassador of Israel H.E. Tzipi Hotovely outside the London School of Economics (LSE) this week. Ambassador Hotovely was evacuated under heavy security from an event at the LSE on Tuesday evening amid a large protest by pro-Palestinian activists against her presence.
The Ambassador had been invited by the university’s student union to take part in a debate forum. Videos from the scene showed security guards rushing Ambassador Hotovely into a vehicle, amid a group of jeering activists, who chanted, “Aren’t you ashamed?” A Twitter account, ‘LSEclasswar,’ had posted ahead of the event: “Whoever smashes the Ambassador car window (Lincoln’s Inn Field) gets pints. Let’s f**king frighten her”.
Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi said swiftly following the incident: “Last night the Israeli Ambassador was subjected to unacceptable intimidation. This is not disagreement or free speech and it will have deeply shaken Jewish students both at LSE and across the country. I have invited Jewish students from LSE to a meeting to hear directly from them and offer any support that I can”.
He added: “Only yesterday I visited Auschwitz, and that experience has left me even more determined to ensure that the evil of antisemitism is driven out of our campuses and classrooms. Education is our vaccine against anti-Jewish hate”. Mr Zahawi had also tweeted: “This is deeply disturbing, I am so sorry Ambassador Hotovely”.
Home Secretary Priti Patel tweeted that she was “disgusted by the treatment” of the Ambassador, adding: “Antisemitism has no place in our universities or our country”. Home Secretary Patel has given support to a police investigation of the protests. Middle East Minister James Cleverly said: “We value open debate and peaceful protest. The aggressive and threatening behaviour directed at Israeli ambassador Hotovely last night was unacceptable”.
In a statement, CFI thanked the Government for “its swift condemnation” of the incident, adding “but this is a reminder of the depth of the problem on university campuses. There are no circumstances in which this sort of vile behaviour serves the interests of peace and reconciliation”.
Ambassador Hotovely said following the incident: “I’m thankful for all the support I have received from the British government, many friends and partners. I had an excellent event at #LSE and I will not be intimidated. I will continue to share the Israeli story and hold open dialogue with all parts of British society”.
In an interview with the Daily Mail, the Ambassador vowed that she would not be silenced.
