http://oxford.tab.co.uk/2013/02/20/exclusive-galloway-in-anti-israel-walk-out/George Galloway sensationally stormed out of a debate in Christ Church tonight after discovering his opponent was an Israeli.
He was meant to be debating the motion ‘Israel should withdraw immediately from the West Bank’ with Brasenose finalist Eylon Aslan-Levy.
But when his opponent used ‘we’ in reference to Israel, the Respect MP demanded to know whether the undergrad was a citizen of the country.
After the PPEist replied in the affirmative, Galloway, claiming to have been misled by organisers, grabbed his coat and left.
(Galloway prior to his dramatic exit)
Mr Aslan-Levy told the Tab
“I am appalled that someone would storm out of a debate with me for no other reason than my heritage.
“To refuse to talk to someone just because of their nationality is pure racism, and totally unacceptable for a member of parliament”
Galloway has previously refused to debate with anyone connected to the country.
After this abrupt departure, Aslan-Levy recalled his previous confrontation with Galloway. Six years ago as a pupil at north London’s University College School, he claimed to have confronted him over his supposed ‘no-platform’ stance towards debating Israelis.
But the then MP for Bethnal Green denied taking such a position, allegedly branding the student an “L-I-A-R liar”.
Tonight’s events would seem to prove otherwise.
A second year Christ Church student in the audience told the Tab:
“It was a shocking moment. Galloway’s meant to be a Respect MP, but tonight he respected no-one. He turned up late, and left after his opening speech. Maybe he had run out of things to say”.
Galloway was defiant on Twitter tonight, blaming Christ Church for not being clear about the nature of the debate:
Topic: George Galloway walks out of debate after discovering his opponent is Israeli (Read 1116 times)