London School of Economics resists Israel ambassador's call to cancel event on Hamas book

A prestigious British university has resisted pressure from pro-Israel groups and the Israeli ambassador, refusing to cancel the launch of a new book about Hamas. The book, titled "Understanding Hamas and Why It Matters," is edited by Helena Cobban and Rami G. Khouri. The launch event, held at the London School of Economics (LSE) on Monday afternoon, sparked widespread controversy, with pro-Israel protests taking place outside the university.

Israel's ambassador to the UK, Tzipi Hotovely, wrote to Professor Larry Kramer, Vice Chancellor of the London School of Economics, demanding the cancellation of the launch event organized by the university's Middle East Centre, accusing it of providing a platform for "Hamas propaganda." She claimed that the event could "fuel support among students and others for a brutal terrorist organization."

However, the London School of Economics did not back down. A spokesperson stated: "Freedom of speech and expression are the cornerstones of everything we do at LSE. We strongly encourage our students, faculty, and visitors to discuss and debate the world's most pressing issues." The book's synopsis states that it "provides a much-needed perspective on understanding a widely misunderstood movement that is crucial to a just resolution of the Israeli/Palestinian conflict."

The book's synopsis also notes: "This book does not advocate for or against Hamas. Instead, it seeks to deepen understanding of the movement through in-depth conversations with leading experts, given Hamas's role as a key actor in the current crisis." The book looks at Hamas's key transition from social and religious activities to national political participation; the delicate balance between Hamas's political and military wings; and its shift from early anti-Jewish sentiments to a position that distinguishes between Judaism and Zionism.

The book's authors include Jadaliyya co-editor Mouin Rabbani and Azzam Tamimi, author of "Hamas: A History From Within." Michael Mason, Director of the Middle East Centre, chaired the event, and Rabbani, co-editor Cobban, Yael Ronen, founder of critical terrorism studies, and Catherine Charrett, a lecturer in international relations, spoke at the event. During the event, all speakers condemned the war crimes committed by Hamas and its actions against civilians.

Cobban stated at the event: "It is crucial for us to recognize the complicit role that the corporate media in this country plays in misrepresenting – I would even say ‘denying’ – Hamas as a movement and its actions." She added that "resistance to occupation" is "permitted under international law." She stated: "I am absolutely prepared to condemn all attacks that violate international humanitarian law, whether on October 7th or any other day. However, it is important to note that much of what Hamas did on October 7th involved attacking military targets inside Israel."

Ronen argued that labeling Hamas as a terrorist organization "erases the historical context of the October 7th attacks... It allows Israel to claim that these attacks are irrational, evil, unprovoked, and that it's about hate and nothing else."

The London School of Economics has previously been embroiled in controversy related to pro-Palestinian protests on campus. In January, Middle East Eye revealed that some students protesting the university's investments in Israel during protests were described in emails from senior staff as "dressed as terrorists." Video footage of the incident analyzed by Middle East Eye showed some protesters covering their faces with Palestinian keffiyehs.

Last year, the London School of Economics became the first UK university to evict students who had set up a camp in solidarity with Gaza, after the university obtained a court order to remove them. It was reported that the London School of Economics had £89 million ($113 million) invested in 137 companies that may be involved in war crimes in Gaza, the arms industry, and fossil fuels.