Fury as Durham university CANCELS Gaza war debate at the last minute after ‘mob’ of pro-Palestine protesters ‘locked’ students inside chamber for over two hours by forming a human chain around the building

Durham University has canceled a debate on the war Gaza at the last minute after a “mob” of pro-Palestinian protesters “locked” students in a room for more than two hours.

Students preparing the room for Friday night’s debate – on whether “Palestinian leadership is the greatest barrier to peace” – were locked inside as demonstrators formed a human chain around the building.

Those who would make the argument were Natasha Hausdorff, of UK Lawyers Israelinvestigative journalist David Collier and Lance Forman, a former Brexit Party MEP.

Mr Forman told the Mail that students preparing the room ‘locked themselves in to prevent the crowd from entering the building’.

Union members called on the university authorities to seek police assistance to clear the entrance for the debate.

Mr Forman said: ‘The university took no action and it was not long before the crowd grew in size and formed a human chain around the building to prevent entry.

Protesters stand outside the University of Durham building, with one sign reading: ‘Genocide is not an issue’

A protester holds a megaphone outside the building where the debate was to take place

Union members called on the university authorities to seek police assistance to clear the entrance for the debate

‘The students inside were now terrified that they too would break in. It was up to the university to enter into discussions with the police to facilitate this. But they retreated and rushed into the crowd.”

The Mail understands the university could have classified the protesters as ‘violators’. If they had done that, the police could have removed the protesters and allowed the event to take place, but the university chose not to do so.

Throughout the night, protesters beat drums, shouted chants and sang songs, including “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free,” “Israel is a terrorist state” and “Durham Uni, you can’t hide, we bring charge you costs’. with genocide’.

Mr Forman condemned the university’s actions, saying: ‘It was an absolute disgrace that the university behaved in this way and did not allow us to make our case.

‘They neglected or deliberately ensured that their students would not hear excellent speakers.

“If universities cannot protect freedom of expression within academia, they should replace chancellors with those who will.”

He said the students involved were “devastated and we were all looking forward to the involvement that could have shed light on a very charged situation.”

David Collier and Lance Forman with Natasha Hausdorff as they prepared for the canceled debate

A sign read “Genocide is not an issue” as protesters stood outside the building

Union members called on the university authorities to seek police assistance to clear the entrance for the debate

David Collier also criticized the ‘scandalous cowardice’ of Durham Uni, writing on locked in a room.

‘How is this allowed in Britain? Durham University should be ashamed of themselves.”

Those opposed to the motion included Chris Doyle, the director of the Council for Arab-British Understanding, Dr Peter Shambrook, a specialist historian of the Middle East, and Mohab Ramadan, a student at Durham University.

Ramadan, a passionate pro-Palestinian activist who has been involved with the encampment on Palace Green since its inception, visited the protesters at their invitation on Thursday to read his speech to them and ask for their input.

When he entered the camp, he was yelled at and called a “Zionist pig,” a “traitor,” and told to “fuck off and never come back.” In the run-up to the event it quickly became clear that the demonstrators feel that no debate is possible.’

Ramadan said: ‘To grant yourself what you deny others is a shame. To deny others the freedom to speak and debate while you yourself are encamped on Palace Green and tolerated, allowed to speak and be heard throughout the University is inexcusable… your actions have been right alienating the people you’re trying to convince.’

Another sign at the protest read: ‘What debate? 15,000 dead children’

The debate was due to take place in a building at Durham University

UK Lawyers for Israel will stream the debate live tonight [Sunday]where “the speakers of the motion will deliver the speeches they had prepared for the debate and discuss the University’s obligation to ensure freedom of expression within the law.”

Matthew Brooker, chairman of the Durham Union Society, said: “We believe that Durham University has gone above and beyond to accommodate the protesters.

‘Many students, regardless of their opinion on the motion, are devastated that the debate could not go ahead. They believe that freedom of speech died in Durham last night. One student said, “It felt like we were being abandoned.”

“Those trapped inside became increasingly upset as the protesters’ shouts, drumming and chanting came from all sides. Despite the fear of the people inside, everyone in that room was convinced that they wanted to continue with the debate and that we were not going to be forced to give up.”

The university declined to comment.