UKLFI’s intervention ensured that a delegation, arranged by StandWithUs, of 15 Israeli students, who had been refused entry to Kings College London, were given a personal apology by its principal Ed Byrne, and that they were allowed to set up a stall to counter Israel Apartheid Week at the University.
The students had been aggressively ejected by security from campus by security personnel and their visitors’ badges ripped from their clothing. They had also been refused permission to set up a stall to share their personal stories, educate about Israel and support Jewish students during “Israel Apartheid Week.”
UKLFI assisted the students by writing to and speaking with the principal of Kings College London, Ed Byrne. As a result, Mr Byrne met wtih the students and apologized to them for their treatment, and reiterated his support for Israeli institutions and free speech. Mr Byrne then ensured that the students were allowed to set up their stall at Guys, part of the KCL campus.
This came after recent incidents in events involving Israelis hosted by Kings College Student Societies. For example Dr Yaron Brook, an American-Israeli economist was prevented from speaking by violent protests, Dan Meridor, former Israeli deputy prime minister, was interrupted by shouting outside, and a meeting of Israeli members of minority groups was cancelled after it was labelled by the university as “high risk”.
From March 15 -22, 2018, StandWithUs UK hosted `Isreality`, a delegation of 15 Israeli students as part of their nationwide `Peace Week campaign” The student delegation from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem visited LSE, City University, Kings College London, UCL and SOAS campuses to share their personal stories, educate about Israel and support Jewish student during “Israel Apartheid Week.”