Galloway storms out of debate after discovering opponent is Israeli

By Ian Dunt

George Galloway was accused of racism last night after video emerged of him storming out of a debate because he discovered his opponent was Israeli.

The Respect MP was in Oxford University debating the motion 'Israel should withdraw immediately from the West Bank' when Eylon Aslan-Levy, a third-year student, used the word 'we' in his defence of Israeli policy

Galloway then interrupted to ask if he was Israeli. When he answered yes, Galloway said: "I have been misled. I don't debate with Israelis."

He then stormed out, followed by his wife Putri Gayatri Pertiwi.

Galloway took to Twitter later in the evening to justify his decision.

"No recognition of Israel. No normalisation. Christ Church never informed us the debate would be with an Israeli. Simple," he wrote.

"Boycott, divestment, sanctions. No playing with Apartheid Israël

"I don't debate with Israelis or speak to their media. If Israelis want to speak about Palestine they can talk to the PLO [Palestinian Liberation Organisation]."

Galloway recently lost his party leader, Salma Yaqoob, after a controversial defence of Julian Assange, the Wikileaks founder facing allegations of sexual assault in Sweden.

Related News

Galloway intervention triggers new Thatcher debate

Galloway triggers Thatcher Commons debate

The Commons was set for a far more divisive debate about Margaret Thatcher today after George Galloway managed to trigger a session on whether to cancel PMQs during the former prime minister's funeral.

comments comments

A warning sign: 'Risk of violence' after Galloway victory

George Galloway returned to parliament after the 'Bradford earthquake'

George Galloway's victory in Bradford West reflects a "political vacuum" which could lead to the rise of extremism and violence, a report has warned.

comments comments

Related Analysis and Comment

The week in review: Too many personalities

Crazy Frog would have fitted into parliament very well this week

George Galloway. Nigel Farage. Luis Suarez. British politics has been dealing with some larger-than-life characters this week. And it hasn't all been pretty.

comments comments

The Political Week Online: UKIP if you want to - courting the Kippers

How a sexual volcano might look from a great distance

Race-based sexual volcanoes are taking it a bit far, even if the Tories are trying on a bit of the UKIP look this week. Meanwhile, Wikileaks give us lulz, Winston Churchill gets put on fivers, and George Galloway says silly things. Or, as he calls them, things.

comments comments

Political news to your inbox

Fill in your details to receive Politics.co.uk's brand of informed, in-depth and independent coverage of Westminster to your inbox

Hot topics

Britain's great energy debate

How the power gets to Britain's homes in the next century remains a matter of deep controversy

As the next general election begins to loom over the horizon, the debate over Britain's future energy policy mix is starting to hot up - and nothing seems guaranteed.

The Heathrow third runway debate

Heathrow's third runway is just one of many options

There won't be a final decision on Britain's long-term aviation strategy until after the 2015 general election - but an aggressive national debate is already underway.

Opinion Former Events

MRSA Action UK Annual Memorial Event

Families will pay tribute and remember those lost to MRSA and healthcare associated infections at Westminster Abbey on Thursday 13th June 2013

BSIA: Information Destruction Exhibition & Conference 2013

Following the great success of the BSIA's Information Destruction Conference and Exhibition in May 2012, we are pleased to annouce that the event is returning again in June 2013. This one-day conference and exhibition is aimed at key decision makers in organisations that carry out the secure destruction of confidential material.