Skip to main content

UCL students reject reports that pro-Palestine, pro-Israel protesters clashed

Social media users objected to reports of violence after Israeli army spokesperson was invited to London university
Pro-Palestinian supporters protesting against a University College London invitation to an Israeli army spokesperson (screengrab: Albert Dimitrian Cotlet)

People have taken to social media to rebut claims that pro-Palestine and pro-Israel supporters clashed at a London university event last night.

Hen Mazzig, an Israeli army spokesperson, was met by a pro-Palestine protest after being invited to speak at University College London (UCL) by the university’s Friends of Israel society.

While police were called in and extra security was present, the university’s union (UCLU) has since stated that this was “due to the controversial nature of the event".

Some reported accounts of disorder but the university has since released a press release stating that “the police reported no instances of violence, and the protest continued from 6:30 to 9:00".

Two sets of protests are said to have taken place, one in support and one in opposition to the event.

Many have since taken to social media to express their feelings towards the event.

“War Zone”

Some social media users took issue with Mazzig’s tweet that compared the protests to a "war zone".

Attendees of the protest also described their experiences.

New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch

Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters

Middle East Eye delivers independent and unrivalled coverage and analysis of the Middle East, North Africa and beyond. To learn more about republishing this content and the associated fees, please fill out this form. More about MEE can be found here.