Israeli ambassador speech cancelled due to Palestine protesters

Two talks were cancelled due to the protests


Pro-Palestine protesters last night disrupted a talk by Yiftah Curiel, spokesperson for the Israel Embassy.

As Curiel stood up to speak during the European Society’s “Israel and Europe” discussion, he was prevented from doing so by the loud shouting of a protester, who claimed “that no government representatives of Israel would be welcomed or given a podium at Glasgow University.”

Protest outside the QMU later that evening meant that a second talk by Curiel also had to be cancelled by the Dialectic Society.

Marc Fryer, President of the Society, said: “It’s unfortunate that it’s been cancelled, because as a society we promote debate and discussion.

“We don’t support ‘no platform’ policies; we support free speech and open dialogue.”

However Wael Sawish, a protester outside the QMU, said: “It is important for us in the West to balance the narrative and make sure there is a Palestinian voice and make sure when they (Israel) are spreading lies in the West we stand up to it.”

No violence was involved in the proceedings.