Pro-Palestinian meeting back on

A pro-Palestinian meeting, which had been cancelled after it was deemed to be anti-Semitic, is due to be held this evening (Tuesday).

The event, ‘Debunking misconceptions on Palestine’, had been due to take place at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan), but was cancelled after UCLan bosses said it would “not be lawful”.

Now the event is due to go ahead on Tuesday at Creativity Works Preston, from 6pm to 8.30pm.

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Visitors are invited to the “informative discussion”, organised by students, followed by a question and answer session.

Speakers include writer and human rights activist Ben White, chairman of the Recognise Refugee Rights Society Huda Ammori, Professor Michael Lavalette and Nick Chafic, Student Palestine Solidarity Project co-ordinator.

The event was initially cancelled last week, when UCLan bosses deemed it to be anti-Semitic, which sparked a row with campaigners.

A spokesman for UCLan at the time said: “The UK Government has formally adopted the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s new definition of what constitutes anti-Semitism.

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“We believe the proposed talk ‘Debunking Misconceptions on Palestine’ contravenes the new definition and furthermore breaches University protocols for such events where we require assurances of a balanced view or a panel of speakers representing all interests.

“In this instance, our procedures determined that the proposed event would not be lawful, and therefore it will not proceed as planned.”