ALBAWABA - On Friday, a handful of activists disrupted Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský's lecture at University College London (UCL).
Protesters screamed for Palestinian freedom and demanded an end to what they dubbed "genocide in Gaza" as the minister, who is well-known for his vocal support of Israel, talked to an audience on the current conflict in Ukraine.
Lipavský was compelled to end his address due to the chants and demands of the demonstrators. Originally planned to highlight the Ukrainian crisis, the event became a forum for demonstrators to voice their objections to Israeli policies in Gaza and demonstrate their sympathy with the Palestinian people.
With strong support from the United States and European countries, Israel has been conducting a massive military operation in Gaza since October 2023. International experts say the offensive has escalated to the point of genocide. Nearly two million people have been displaced from the besieged territory, over 147,000 Palestinians have been killed or maimed, and a large amount of Gaza's civilian infrastructure has been destroyed.
Protests against Israeli policy are still breaking out in major cities across the world, and the interruption at UCL is a reflection of the growing concern about the humanitarian situation in Gaza. Pro-Palestinian groups have criticized Lipavský for his outspoken support of Israel, which has further strained his appearance in London.
As calls for a ceasefire and humanitarian relief continue to gain momentum, the incident is part of a broader trend of international protests demanding accountability for the ongoing situation in Gaza.
