University College London has reported a former academic to the police and issued a campus ban after she made what the university describes as 'heinous' antisemitic comments during a student lecture.
Details of the Controversial Lecture
The incident occurred during a lecture titled 'The Birth of Zionism', delivered by Dr Samar Maqusi for the Students for Justice in Palestine society at UCL. Dr Maqusi, an American academic who previously worked for UNRWA and completed her doctorate at UCL's Bartlett School of Architecture, is not a current member of staff.
During her talk, Dr Maqusi referenced the Damascus Affair, a 200-year-old historical incident in which Jews were falsely accused of murdering a Christian monk, Father Thomas, to use his blood for religious rituals. Rather than presenting this as a false accusation used to persecute Jews, she reportedly told students to 'draw your own narrative'.
She described the antisemitic blood libel trope in detail, stating, 'the story is that during this feast they make… these special pancakes or bread. And, part of the holy ceremony is that drops of blood from someone who's not Jewish… has to be mixed in that bread.'
Further Antisemitic Claims and Institutional Response
Beyond the blood libel reference, Dr Maqusi also made other inflammatory claims. She alleged that Jews 'pretty much controlled the financialisation' during Napoleon's era and suggested a connection between wealthy British Jewish leaders, such as Sir Moses Montefiore, and the development of Zionism.
She further claimed that mainstream media is 'Zionist controlled' and that those researching Zionism are 'being guided or censored or being directed.'
UCL President Dr Michael Spence stated he was 'utterly appalled by these heinous antisemitic comments'. The university took swift action, reporting the incident to the police on Thursday and banning Dr Maqusi from its campus.
Consequences and Broader Implications
In addition to the action against the academic, UCL Students for Justice in Palestine have been barred from holding further events on campus pending the outcome of a full investigation.
Shadow Education Minister Saqib Bhatti expressed deep concern, noting that 'over the last two years life has been made intolerable for many Jewish students across the UK due to the surge in antisemitism.'
Dr Spence emphasised that while freedom of speech is fundamental to university life, it 'can never be misused as a shield for hatred.' UCL has committed to ensuring its campus is a 'safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for everyone' and has initiated disciplinary proceedings against other students in relation to antisemitism in the past.
