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The Israeli ambassador in London, Tzipi Hotovely (center), at the beginning of October
Photo:
Jon Super / picture alliance
The British government speaks of a "deeply disturbing incident" and of "aggressive and threatening behavior": After a performance at the London School of Economics (LSE), pro-Palestinian activists insulted and attacked Israel's ambassador to Great Britain, Tzipi Hotovely.
The diplomat was brought to safety by her bodyguards.
Now the ambassador has reacted to the incident and described the protests as anti-Semitic.
"What we have seen is anti-Israeli, but also anti-Semitic," Hotovely told Times Radio.
"You tried to intimidate me, but I will not be intimidated." Hotovely announced that they will give more lectures and attend events more often.
Pressed and booed
The 42-year-old gave a lecture at the LSE on Tuesday evening, the day to commemorate the pogrom night in 1938, and answered questions.
Several people demonstrated in front of the building, who also urged the ambassador to leave.
They booed and shouted "Shame".
Police officers and bodyguards shielded Hotovely.
There were no arrests in the incident.
A Palestinian student union organized the protests, according to British media.
The LSE leadership sharply criticized the behavior of the demonstrators and announced disciplinary measures should students have been involved.
UK Home Secretary Priti Patel said she was in favor of a police investigation into the matter.
"Tzipi is strong and will not allow any group of violent and anti-Semitic hooligans to scare them, and so are Israel's other ambassadors around the world," said Israeli Foreign Minister Jair Lapid.
Hotovely was appointed by the previous Israeli government under Benjamin Netanyahu.
From 2015 to 2020 she was Israel's Deputy Foreign Minister in the Netanyahu government.
She is an advocate of Israeli settlement policy and rejects a two-state solution in the Middle East.
As deputy foreign minister, she campaigned for Israel's settlement policy in the West Bank.
lukewarm / dpa