Israeli Ambassador to the UK Tzipi Hotovely left an event at the London School of Economics (LSE) in a hurry amid a large protest by pro-Palestinians activists against her presence.
Video of the scene is making the rounds on social media. The video shows security officers escorting Hotovely to her car, while others attempted to restrain the group of protestors.
The protestors mocked Hotovely and chanted slogans against her.
“Aren’t you ashamed?” the crowd yelled at her.
According to Israeli media, the prestigious university invited Hotovely to participate in a discussion. However, supporters of Palestine staged a protest against her presence.
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They specifically targeted her saying she “advocated for settler colonialism, engaged in Islamophobic rhetoric and perpetuated anti-Palestinian racism.”
https://twitter.com/PoliticsForAlI/status/1458218239247405056?s=20
Tzipi Hotovely: A controversial figure?
The Israeli Ambassador to the UK, Tzipi Hotovely is a staunch supporter of Israel’s settlements movement against the Palestinians. As a result, her hardline views against Palestine often sparked outrage.
The former Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu appointed her as ambassador last year, sparking controversies. The move drew a petition by left-wing British Jews who called on their government to reject her as ambassador.
“Hotovely has an appalling record of racist and inflammatory behavior from throughout her political career,” last year’s petition read.
“As British Jews we are clear: Tzipi Hotovely’s values and politics have no place in the UK. It is crucial that the UK government sends a message that her views are unacceptable, and rejects her nomination as ambassador.”
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Moreover, Hotovely advocated for a unilateral Israeli annexation of the West Bank, which the British government repeatedly rejected as a blatant violation of international law.
Pertinent to note, after Netanyahu was ousted from power in June, new Foreign Minister Yair Lapid moved to appoint a confidant to the post. But Hotovely, who signed a three-year contract, refused to give up the position.