Angry Galloway walks out of debate against Israeli

Bradford West MP George Galloway walked out of the debate at the university’s Christ Church College against student Eylon Aslan-Levy.

The Respect Party MP had spoken for ten minutes in favour of the motion “Israel should withdraw immediately from the West Bank” before Mr Aslan-Levy took the floor on Wednesday.

The student had spoken for several minutes before Mr Galloway interrupted him and asked if he was an Israeli.

When Mr Aslan-Levy confirmed that he was Mr Galloway retorted: “I don’t debate with Israelis. I have been misled.”

As he walked out of the debate in front of an audience of more than 100 people, he added: “I don’t recognise Israel and I don’t debate with Israelis.”

Mr Aslan-Levy, who has dual British-Israeli citizenship and was born and raised in London, said: “It was appalling and shocking. Mr Galloway refused to debate with me for no other reason than my nationality. It is extremely offensive.”

The 21 year-old Philosophy, Politics and Economics student added: “It is disturbing that a Member of Parliament could express such views. If this was to have happened with any other country in the world there would be an uproar.”

Yesterday Ron McKay, a spokesman for Mr Galloway, said: “His (Mr Galloway’s) position is a simple one here. He will not get on a platform and debate with Israelis representing the state of Israel or representing Israel’s interests. He has debated and he does debate with Israelis.”

Mr McKay said the MP was often on the platform with Israeli author and academic Ilan Pappe, who he said does not represent “the state of Israel or the interests of Israel”.

“His (George Galloway’s) line is much in line with the boycott and divestment movement which is not to debate or deal with the state of Israel or its representatives,” he added.

“It is not about the nationality. It’s about the representation. Israel is a racist state; that’s his position. He is not going to debate with its representatives.”

Mr McKay claimed it was because Mr Aslan-Levy was “representing Israel”, not because he was Israeli.

Medical student Mahmood Naji, founder of Oxford Debates Society, who organised the debate, said: “George Galloway turned up one and a half hours late. People kindly waited to see this debate.

“To walk out based on the nationality of his opponent is unacceptable. It is a debate. The whole essence of debate is open discussion with people you disagree with.”

A spokesman for Oxford University declined to comment as the debate was not an official university event.