Oxford Students Deploy Lynch Mob Symbolism at Union Protest of Ehud Olmert Event
Activists invoke 2000 Ramallah massacre imagery during disruption of former Israeli PM's speech, days after Union votes Israel greater threat than Iran
Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert’s address at the Oxford Union on November 16 was disrupted by protesters who displayed red-painted hands inside the debating chamber, recreating imagery from one of the Second Intifada’s most notorious terrorist attacks.
In October 2000, a Palestinian mob lynched two Israeli reserve soldiers who had accidentally driven into Ramallah. After beating and stabbing the men to death, perpetrator Aziz Salha appeared at a window displaying his blood-soaked hands to a cheering crowd below. The photograph became an iconic image of the conflict, shocking the Israeli public.
Twenty-five years later, Oxford students recreated that gesture inside one of Britain’s most prestigious institutions to protest a former Israeli prime minister who had been invited to speak.
The protest came just two days after the Union voted “overwhelmingly” that Israel poses a greater threat to regional stability than Iran. That debate welcomed Mohammad Shtayyeh, former Palestinian Authority prime minister, and Ataollah Mohajerani, a former Iranian regime official whom human rights lawyer and UN Watch Executive Director Hillel Neuer accused of complicity in dissident assassinations. Both spoke without disruption.
The Event and Planned Protest
The Oxford Union had advertised Olmert’s 4:00 PM address as an opportunity to hear from someone “having served at the highest levels of Israeli politics” who would “reflect on leadership in times of conflict, the possibilities and limits of diplomacy, and the evolving realities of the Middle East, offering a rare first-hand perspective from a former head of government.” Meet-and-greet opportunities were made available to selected members.
Oxford Schools 4 Palestine, in collaboration with Oxford Action 4 Palestine and Youth Demand Oxford, organized a counter-demonstration scheduled for 3:30 PM—thirty minutes before Olmert’s talk. Their promotional materials described Olmert as a “war criminal” who oversaw “Operation Cast Lead which killed 1400 Palestinians,” claiming he now advocates for a two-state solution as “a strategy” to “normalise the Zionist regime.” The post declared: “Zionism is not welcome in Oxford and to SHUT THIS DOWN!!”
Approximately 60 activists gathered outside the Union, according to student newspaper Cherwell, blocking the main entrance and forcing attendees to use a back door on Cornmarket Street. Protesters scaled walls and jumped fences to enter the Union grounds. At least three were arrested on suspicion of aggravated trespass. The event was delayed by an hour as police—approximately 25 officers—worked to secure access to the building.
Inside the chamber, three additional activists displayed red-painted hands and shouted “shame” and “lies” during Olmert’s remarks. They were removed by security at the request of Union President Moosa Haraj, who invoked Regulation 51(a). Outside, protesters held banners reading “Palestinian children are human too” and chanted “Union, Union, you can’t hide, you’re whitewashing genocide.” A small group of counter-protesters with Union Jacks and St George flags also appeared, prompting police to separate the two groups.
About the Protestors
The student groups behind the Olmert protest have declared solidarity with Palestine Action, a direct action network that the UK government designated as a terrorist organization in July 2025 after members damaged RAF aircraft at an Oxfordshire base.
Oxford Action for Palestine’s X account posted in April: “Glory to our Martyrs. Healing to Our Wounded. All Eyes on Gaza” — employing terminology typically associated with terrorism rather than humanitarian activism.
In a June statement, sussex4palestine.campaign wrote: “The British Home Secretary is attempting to proscribe Palestine Action as a terrorist group following their successful direct action decommissioning two RAF military aircraft.” The post continued: “an attack on one of us is an attack on all of us.”
Appalling and disrespectful behaviour. Would expect better from future professionals