British ministers on Wednesday condemned what they described as the intimidation of the Israeli ambassador in London by pro-Palestinian protesters who booed and shouted at her as she left a university after a debate with students.
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Interior minister Priti Patel said she was disgusted by the treatment of Tzipi Hotovely late on Tuesday after an event organized by a student debating society at the London School of Economics.
"Antisemitism has no place in our universities or our country," Patel wrote on Twitter. "The police have my full backing in investigating this appalling 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. pic.twitter.com/12xFp87Kc2
— Tzipi Hotovely (@TzipiHotovely) November 10, 2021
Hotovely said the debate itself had been "excellent" and she would not be intimidated.
"I will continue to share the Israeli story and hold open dialogue with all parts of British society," she tweeted.
Reports in several British media said a large crowd had gathered outside the building during the debate.
Video footage showed Hotovely emerging and being swiftly bundled into her car while security men jostled with protesters trying to rush towards it. Jeering, booing and cries of "aren't you ashamed?" could be heard.
Ahead of the event, a Twitter account by the name "LSEclasswar" posted, "Whoever smashes the Ambassador car window (Lincoln's Inn Field) gets pints. Let's f***ing frighten her."
British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi and Middle East minister James Cleverly also condemned the incident which they described as threatening, aggressive and an unacceptable attempt to silence Hotovely.
"This is deeply disturbing. I am so sorry Ambassador Hotovely," Zahawi wrote on Twitter, adding that Jewish students at the LSE would have been "deeply shaken."
These are not protesters - they are antisemitic and anti-free speech.
And this is not Nazi Germany but the UK in 2021. (2/3)— StandWithUs (@StandWithUs) November 10, 2021
There had been calls by pro-Palestinian activists before the debate for Hotovely's invitation to speak at the event to be canceled.
The debating society is due to host Husam Zomlot, the Palestinian ambassador to Britain, on Thursday.
British media reported that the protesters specifically targeted Hotovely, who was appointed by former Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu and has expressed views against Palestinian statehood and in favor of Jewish settlements in Judea and Samaria.
Christians United For Israel UK swiftly condemned the incident at the London School of Economics.
"Christians United for Israel UK strongly condemns the violent behavior towards Tzipi Hotovely, Israel's ambassador to the UK, from pro-Palestinian activists outside the London School of Economics. Antisemitic hatred of Israel has no place on Britain's streets or within our society," Des Starritt, CUFI UK Executive Director, said in a statement. "Israel is a cherished friend and ally of Britain, and we will always stand against this hatred."
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