UCL is second university to cancel Israel Apartheid Week event

A message on the society's Facebook page reads:  "You guys have heard about checkpoints and intimidation by Israeli soldiers. It's a lot worse than inconvenient." 

It adds:  "Apartheid didn't die with South Africa. It has reappeared flourished grown and become a normal part of the oppression of Palestinians by the Israeli state."

Earlier this week the Academic Friends of Israel group wrote to UCL questioning whether the  event should be allowed to take place under the new government definition of what constitutes antisemitism.

In  a letter seen by the JC, Rex Knight, vice-provost at UCL confirmed it would not be allowed to go ahead because it had "fallen at the first hurdle" when it came to following correct procedures.

The letter states: "I can confirm that the society will be informed today that we are not going to give permission for the event to go ahead."

It adds: "I indicated it had been advertised without the society having gone through the proper process."

Last year police were called to UCL to quell a violent anti-Israel protest which left Jewish students barricaded in a room.

Around 100 pro-Palestinian demonstrators caused chaos at a talk given by Israeli activist Hen Mazzig.