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Home Jewish World Antisemitism

London university 'Understanding Hamas' book launch met with protest, but not canceled

Israeli Ambassador to Britain Tzipi Hotovely noted, "The book gives a platform to Hamas propaganda." Nevertheless, the university president decided to continue with the event "in the name of free speech."

by  Ariel Kahana
Published on  03-11-2025 09:00
Last modified: 03-11-2025 16:06
London university 'Understanding Hamas' book launch met with protest, but not canceledAP

Israeli supporters show placards with the faces and names of people taken hostage and held in Gaza, during a protest in Trafalgar Square, London, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023 (Photo: AP/Frank Augstein) | Photo: AP

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The Israeli Embassy in Britain, pro-Israel organizations, and students demonstrated Monday evening at the London School of Economics (LSE) in protest against the launch of a new book that whitewashes the crimes of October 7. The book is titled "Understanding Hamas and Why It Matters," written by Helena Cobban and Rami George Khouri, and it provides readers with a lenient and positive interpretation of the murderous terror organization and its actions.

Israeli Ambassador to Britain Tzipi Hotovely approached the president of LSE University immediately upon learning about the event. She asked him to cancel the launch, emphasizing that the event ignores the fact that Hamas is designated as a terrorist organization in Britain and that such an event legitimizes the organization.

Queen Elizabeth II appears on a screen via video link from Windsor Castle, where she is in residence, during a virtual audience to receive Tzipi Hotovely (center), Ambassador from the State of Israel, and Or Hay Alon (right), at Buckingham Palace on July 7, 2021, in London, England (Photo: Jonathan Brady/Getty Images) Getty Images

Additionally, Hotovely noted in her letter that "The book gives a platform to Hamas propaganda," and also highlighted the distortions and denial of the atrocities that occurred on October 7. Despite this, the university president decided to continue with the event, claiming it was "in the name of free speech."

In protest against the book's content and the approval to launch it within the university walls, the embassy and Israel supporters initiated a noisy demonstration that took place throughout the launch event. During the protest, among other things, posters of Shiri, Ariel, and Kfir Bibas, who were killed in Hamas captivity and whose bodies were returned to Israel, were displayed.

Israeli Ambassador to Britain Hotovely said, "This pro-Hamas gathering fuels the increasing waves of hate that Israeli and Jewish students experience in Britain, even more so since the outbreak of the war. The Israeli Embassy in Britain views the holding of this event with great severity and will continue to act against such events in the future as well."

Tags: AntisemitismGaza WarHamasLondon

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