UCL investigates one of its senior academics after she claimed Israel’s bombardment of Gaza was ‘worse than Auschwitz’ at pro-Palestine rally

• Prof Alex Pillen has apologised and said her comments were ‘decontextualised’ 

University College London is investigating one of its senior academics after she claimed Israel’s bombardment of Gaza ‘is worse than Auschwitz.’  

Dr Alex Pillen, who is an associate professor of anthropology, made the comments at a pro-Palestinian rally in London. 

The 54-year-old said she was participating in the march because the situation is ‘absolutely unacceptable.’

‘It’s an insult to humanity. What is happening in Gaza today is worse than Auschwitz,’ Dr Pillen told the Evening Standard at the event. ‘It’s a shame for humanity,’ she added. 

The professor later apologised unreservedly for hurt caused and said she was totally opposed to all forms of racism and antisemitism. 

Dr Alex Pillen, who is an associate professor of anthropology, made the comments at a pro-Palestinian rally in London

Palestinians inspect the destruction caused by Israeli strikes on their homes in the village of Khuzaa, east of Khan Yunis near the border fence between Israel and the southern Gaza Strip, on November 27

An aerial view shows the destruction caused by Israeli strikes in Wadi Gaza, in the central Gaza Strip, on November 28

She also said that she thought her words had been decontextualised.

Dr Pillen’s profile on the UCL website appears to have been removed from public view, as does her Linked In page. 

The prestigious university issued a statement making clear they utterly condemn all forms of antisemitism ‘and have made clear to our community that this will not be tolerated at UCL.’

They told the newspaper: ‘We have investigated incidents that have been reported to us and have taken appropriate action in response. 

One of the numerous Pro-Palestine marches that have taken place in London 

Read more: Hamas hands over 12 more hostages as Qatari mediators push for another truce extension on final day of ceasefire

‘This has included instigating our disciplinary processes, reporting specific incidents to the police, and ensuring the removal of offensive social media posts.’ 

MailOnline has also contacted UCL and the Met Police for comment. 

More than 13,300 Palestinians have been killed since the war began on October 7, roughly two-thirds of them women and minors, according to the Hamas-run Health Ministry in Gaza, which does not differentiate between civilians and combatants. 

More than 1,200 people have been killed on the Israeli side, mostly civilians killed in the initial attack. 

At least 77 soldiers have been killed in Israel’s ground offensive. 

The World Health Organisation has warned that the war has caused a burgeoning public health crisis that is a recipe for epidemics as displaced Palestinians have been forced to take shelter in cramped homes and camps. 

Source: Read Full Article