Czech Minister Shut Down by Pro-Palestine Activists at UCL Lecture

Photo courtesy: U.S. Department of State via Wikimedia Commons

The Czech Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jan Lipavský, was due to give a lecture at University College London on 15th November. However, the lecture did not last long, as pro-Palestinian activists interrupted the event, and the minister shortly left the room. 

The foreign minister began his lecture when a young man jumped up and began shouting at him, “You are a murderer!’’ accusing him of genocide in Gaza. Others in the room then immediately stood up in support of their colleague, some wearing keffiyehs–a symbol of Palestinian resistance and solidarity–and chanting, “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free!” and “Free, free Palestine!” One young woman directly addressed the minister: “You talk about sovereignty, about the right to a nation. What about the right of the Palestinians to exist? Shame on you!”

Mr Lipavský and other visitors on site, occasionally tried to start a calm conversation with the activists and asked for a “respectful” discussion. But without success, as the activists continued and the minister ultimately had to leave the room via fire exit. 

Jan Lipavský on X.

Shaking her head and visibly frustrated, a UCL lecturer attempted to settle the protest by asserting that the behaviour was counterproductive and that it was such a shame not to let the minister speak. He had reportedly been open to talking about the conflict in Gaza and answering questions following the lecture, which the Czech minister repeated throughout the protest action. Noticing concerned faces and annoyed groans, there seemed to be an almost tangible feeling of tension in the room.

As attempts at dialogue failed, the lecture and planned Q&A were subsequently cancelled. However, the event attracted more attention, and UCL Security tried to prevent further activists from entering the room, as loud banging on doors and shouts of protest could be heard from the corridor. After 20 minutes, police arrived and escorted the protesters out.

This was the latest of many protests at UCL against the prolonged confrontations between Israel and Hamas in Gaza that are causing a devastating humanitarian crisis in the region. The incident comes as a response to different countries’ stances on the war, which, as foreign minister, Mr Lipavský represents and has repeatedly spoken of Czech support for Israel. The Czech Republic and Israel have a long-standing relationship and its clear pro-Israel position has been all the more evident since the outbreak of the war in Gaza.