The event was held at the School of Oriental and African Studies |
 Jewish man jeered at Soas university debate
Footage has emerged of a man being told he is "not welcome" after revealing his Jewish name at a School of Oriental and African Studies debate on Palestine.
The film shows Jonathan Hoffman ask why Soas university allowed a man condemned as an anti-Semite by the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHR) to talk. Upon revealing his name there are boos and shouts of "Jewish!" Anti-racism campaigners called it "chilling".
A spokesman for the London university said nobody broke hate speech rules. The event, entitled The Case for Sanctions and Boycott [of the nation of Israel] was organised by the School of Oriental and African Studies' [Soas] Palestinian Society. They invited South African trade unionist Bongani Masuku to speak. The SAHR has condemned Mr Masuku for "hate speech", saying his comments "are of an extreme nature that imply the Jewish community are to be despised, scorned and ridiculed".
The film, posted on YouTube, shows Mr Hoffman ask: "Why does the University and College Union (UCU) invite somebody who practises hate speech?" Once boos have subsided the chairman of the debate, Tom Hickey, of the UCU, directs the speakers to "ignore" the question. Mr Hoffman has described himself as "cross" after the "anti-Semitic" meeting. The name Hoffman is of German-Jewish origin.
Raheem Kassam, of student anti-racism campaigners Student Rights, said: "The overpowering racist jeering as displayed by some audience members at the event is a stark and chilling revelation of what can happen when extremism is allowed to take root in universities. "This man was first shouted down, then ignored by the event chair and panellists. "Why? From what we hear shouted when he is speaking, because he is, 'Jewish', and 'not welcome here'."
"No law breach"
A Soas University spokesman said: "Soas has strict guidelines against hate speech and incitement to violence at public events. "Event chairs are authorised to stop proceedings if any speaker or audience member breaks the law or engages in speech or behaviour that violates that policy." He added: "From what is shown in the clip in question, that appears not to have been the case at this event."
"They were premeditated, and top-level leaders must at the very least have been aware of what was being planned, our investigation shows." The report was based on interviews with 240 people - including victims, witnesses, members of the military and diplomats.
The spokesman refused to say whether the university condoned the appearance of Mr Masuku. Mr Hoffman and the university's Palestinian Society were unavailable for comment. Mr Masuku categorically denies accusations of racism. The incident follows recent rows about the appearance of controversial Islamist speakers at both Queen Mary, University of London, and University College London.
(BBC News) |
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