The European Legal Support Center (ELSC) has filed a discrimination claim against the Oxford Union on behalf of Susan Abulhawa, Palestinian-American writer and activist. According to ELSC, the Union carried out “unlawful and unethical editing [of] the recording of her speech at the Oxford Union in a November 2024 debate”. Abulhawa attended the Union as a guest speaker, debating for the proposition: ‘This House believes Israel is an apartheid state responsible for genocide’.
“The Oxford Union’s decision to cut five key sections of her speech directly discriminates against abulhawa on the basis of her Palestinian ethnicity and indigenous identity, and anti-Zionist beliefs, in blatant violation of her right to freedom of expression,” ELSC have stated.
Moreover, the legal claim alleges that the editing may constitute breach of contract, copyright infringement, and defamation. ELSC told Cherwell their client will be seeking remedies including a declaration that the Union unlawfully discriminated against Abulhawa, an order requiring the full speech be re-uploaded, and “compensation for injury to feelings”.
ELSC refer to two parts of Abulhawa’s speech that were edited out, including mentions of crimes committed by the IDF against Palestinian and Lebanese civilians, such as abuse of doctors like Dr Adnan Al-Bursh and the usage of “booby trapped toys”.
ELSC have also accused the Union of failing to “substantively respond to abulhawa’s claims since 1 April 2025” in spite of “repeated demands”. ELSC’s Senior UK Legal Officer told Cherwell: “The Union responded only once…denying all the claims and refusing to reinstate the speech.”
Abulhawa’s speech was uploaded in an edited form in December 2024. Cherwell understands the decision was made due to the risk of counter-terror charges being brought against the Union if the removed parts of the speech were included.
Abulhawa said: “In altering my words, the Oxford Union not only perverted my intellectual property without consent, but they also violated the public trust by distorting the historic record to suit a partisan narrative, thereby depriving the public and future generations of the full truth.
“Their decision to edit my speech is egregiously unethical. It tramples on the principles of open debate and freedom of expression—the very ideals the Oxford Union purports to uphold.”
Cherwell understands that members of the Union’s Standing Committee (TSC) were advised in a meeting on 16th June that publishing the video in full risked counter-terror charges. A vote on the issue was preceded by mass resignations after TSC members were made aware of the potential liability they faced. In addition, the Bursar and Deputy Bursar – the two most senior members of full-time staff – resigned at the time as Directors of Oxford Union Ltd on Companies House.
Police have been conducting enquiries related to the debate held in late November 2024. Cherwell revealed earlier this year that members of TSC could face criminal liability amid this ongoing counter-terrorism investigation.
Those who had not resigned from the governing body voted 6-4 to upload the video in full. However, as of 5th September, the video is yet to be published on the Union’s YouTube channel.
The Oxford Union declined to comment given the ongoing lawsuit.
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