Wellington Square, Oxford, UK – British Member of Parliament George Galloway shocked the audience when he stormed out of a debate at Oxford University on Wednesday, declaring that he does not debate Israelis.
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The debate, in which Galloway was arguing in favor of the statement, “Israel should withdraw immediately from the West Bank”, was held by the Oxford Union at Christ Church College.
Midway through a statement by his debate opponent Eylon Aslan-Levy, whose comments made his nationality clear, Galloway interrupted, asking “Are you Israeli?” Upon receiving a reply in the affirmative, Galloway promptly gathered his belongings and departed, announcing to the visibly shocked crowd: “I don’t debate Israelis.”
Then he and his assistant departed, amid cries of “racism!”
Tweeting after the debate, Galloway told his 111,000 followers that, “I don’t debate with Israelis or speak to their media. If Israelis want to speak about Palestine they can talk to the PLO.”
Galloway is notoriously anti-Israel, and strongly identifies with the Palestinian cause. In his Twitter bio, Galloway identifies himself as “pro-Palestine, anti-war, pro-equality, anti-Islamophobia”. In 1994, he visited Iraq and met with Saddam Hussein, whom he told “Sir, I salute your courage, your strength, your indefatigability.”
Britain’s main Jewish umbrella group said in response to Galloway’s walkout that his actions, as well as of those who tried to shout down the deputy Israeli ambassador at a recent event at the University of Essex, exposed the true face of anti-Israel activists.
“British Universities are rightly cherished as places where debate and discussion can thrive,” said the Board of Deputies in a statement. “Yet it would seem that those intent on demonizing the State of Israel would rather crush freedom of speech in pursuit of their own agenda of blind hatred.
“George Galloway’s refusal to debate an Israeli at Christ Church College, Oxford, and attempts by violent protestors to disrupt a talk by the Deputy Ambassador of Israel at the University of Essex, reveal the true nature of the anti-Israel movement in the UK. Insecure in their own position, they are intent on denying a voice to those who speak up for Israel.”
Board of Deputies Vice President Jonathan Arkush added, “All right minded people should condemn these acts against free speech and all universities should take steps to ensure that people are safe and secure to visit our campuses, irrespective of their race, faith or nationality.”
Content provided as courtesey by The Jerusalem Post
It’s interesting to note that on Twitter, Galloway said, “I don’t debate with Israelis or speak to their media.” At the debate he said “I don’t recognize Israel or debate with Israelis.” Why doesn’t he tell his tweeters that he doesn’t recognize Israel?
Obviously he gets fleeced from the palestinians, and your loyalty will go to the highest bidder, regardless of your better judgement or conscience. Galloway and his ilk can shake hands with the Friedmans and the Niturei Karta who share the same ideals, since they make use of the same bank accounts…
His exact quote which you can clearly hear was,”I don’t recognize Israel and I don’t debate with israelis” So, it’s not a matter of territory or policy. Israel has no right to exist. Since he was a great admirer of Saddam Hussein, it tells us a lot about him. I suggest he move there since he seems to love Muslims.
Strange. I never hears of a clean shaven netiarai kartanik. Must be a modernesheh NK.
I suggest this ‘menuval cholera’ join saddam hussein on his journey he took a couple of years back!
Like any politician, Gauleiter George was reaffirming his credibility with his voters. To put it politely, his parliamentary constituency, Bradford West, is not exactly a hotbed of pro-Israeli sentiment.
Obviously he’s a blind bigot, but he makes the same mistake every other pro-“Palestinian” makes. He thinks that Palestinians are anti-war.
Besides that, Palestinians have a state. It’s called Jordan, and it’s existed longer than the modern State of Israel.
The G-d of Israel gathers in His people and LAUGHS in Galloway’s face! He just couldn’t take it!
Bradford West is virtually all Pakistani Muslim. It’s (unfortunately) VERY close to the Jewish community of Leeds, just a few miles. This man should be put down like the rabid dog he is.
The REAL problem is that plain ordinary people are buying into the hate.
I was appalled at the HATEFUL COMMENTS on this video on Youtube.
Raboisei! Daven!!!!
A freilichin purim. Hashem will save us from the haman’s of today.
galloway’s wife is a palestian arab