Pro-Palestinian protesters interrupt Jerusalem mayor's speech
Mayor Nir Barkat’s speech at a San Francisco university was disrupted by anti-Israeli demonstrators calling for a new intifada. Barkat continued his speech nonetheless, later stating that the protests will not silence him or the state of Israel.
Dozens of pro-Palestinian protesters interrupted Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat's speech at the campus of San Francisco State University, and tried to stop him from continuing by shouting insults at the stage. They sounded calls for the renewal of the intifada as well.
Barakat is touring US campuses, speaking about Jerusalem and Israeli policy. The protesters came in wearing kaffiyehs and waving Palestinian flags, and used loud speakers to try and stop his speech.
They also performed what some have interpreted as Nazi salutes, called for the continuation and strengthening of the Intifada, and called for the destruction of the State of Israel. They also requested Barkat’s ejection from the campus, and called Israel a terror and apartheid state.
Police were called to the scene to protect the Jerusalem Mayor, who continued his speech despite the disturbance. He even came down from the podium to answer the many questions the students - who weren't protesting - had for him.
"Anyone who thinks that incitement and unruly calls for violence will succeed in silencing us or divert us from our stance is seriously mistaken. We will continue to build, to develop and to strengthen the state of Israel, which includes a united Jerusalem,” Barkat said.
Barkat even voiced his concerns about the incident to the president of the university and the mayor of San Francisco. "I told them that this type of dangerous incitement cannot be allowed to take place in a democratic state in general, and on (university) campuses in particular," he said.