Inside Oxford University’s Gaza student protests – where an Israeli MP made a bold appearance

It’s a moment that in the current mood could have quickly turned ugly.

Outside Oxford’s Sheldonian Theatre, as 200 student protesters group together for a rally and fill the area with chants such as “Palestine will live forever”, an Israeli flag unfurls in the crowd.

The blue Star of David waves in the breeze as observers quickly look to its bearer, Israeli politician Sharren Haskel, who smiles confidently for photographs and video taken by her aides.

The bold move by the member of the opposition party New Hope shocks those within eyeshot, including nearby police officers, but clearly none knows who the smartly dressed politician is.

@SharrenHaskel standing strong at #Oxford !!@KnessetCAC @IAF_Europe pic.twitter.com/K4BSUzqobo

— Josh Reinstein (@ReinsteinJosh) May 8, 2024

And just as well, for her comments to us – calling the protesters “idiots” as she says she is standing up for intimidated Jewish students – threaten to quickly turn the mood of the until now peaceful event.

But with the crowd beginning to gather around,