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Police were called to a London university last night after Jewish students were “trapped” in a room by pro-Palestine supporters who descended on the building.

A woman claimed she was assaulted during the chaotic scenes at University College London (UCL), which came ahead of a speech by Israeli writer Hen Mazzig.

Mr Hazzig’s appearance, which was given the go-ahead at the last minute, stirred up controversy due to his time with the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF).

And, footage from the university last night showed crowds of pro-Palestine protesters at the university building, with those who turned up for the talk claiming to be trapped in a room.

Devora Khafi, a campus director for pro-Israel group StandWithUs UK, described the melee as “a whirlwind of hate”.

She wrote on Twitter: “I was assaulted. We were attacked. But freedom will prevail.”

Mr Hazzig uploaded a video to Facebook protesters where could be heard hammering on the doors and windows, yelling “free, free Palestine.”

At one point the video showed several men clambering through the windows and lying on the floor while being branded “cowards” and “morons” by the people inside.

A rattled Mr Hazzig said in the video: “So the situation is really out of control we’re hiding in a room and there’s protesters outside.”

He went on: “I don’t think that even in my days in the IDF it was bad as it is right now.

“It’s really scary. I hear that they’ve been attacking some girls, Jewish girls that came to support my talk. It’s crazy, it’s really crazy.”

During the footage, one woman can be held yelling the word “murderers” through the glass.

When the attendees were finally allowed out of the building, with help from security and police, an angry crowd can be heard yelling “shame” at them.

Student Rights national organiser, Elliot Miller, told the Standard: “It was a very intimidating atmosphere

“UCL staff were overrun and before police came there were clashes.

“Pro-Palestine activists banged on the doors of the room where the event was taking place and tried to jump through the windows

“We were all escorted out by police and I felt very intimidated and upset. Students were crying and a few had panic attacks.”

A spokeswoman for UCL Friends of Israel, which organised the event, said it had been "seriously compromised" and students had been intimidated and left shaken by the events.

She said: "Police were forced to escort attendees out of the building for their safety, amongst other ongoing proactive security measures.

"It goes without saying that moving forward a concerted effort is required to safeguard students’ freedom of self-expression and freedom of speech in an environment where debate and dialogue should ensue without threat or fear."

A spokesman for the university's Friends of Palestine Society denied they had organised the event but said claims students were trapped or assaulted were untrue.

He said protesters had decided to attend because of "the IOF's association with apartheid-style policies in Palestine." Critics refer to the Israel Defense Forces as the Israel Occupation Forces (IOF).

"Even freedom of speech has its limits," he said.

"Freedom of speech is fine but people who are part of this system are not acceptable.

"He was part of the of occupation. He was part of the colonisation and construction of settlements."

"Imagine if a member of Hamas came and spoke at UCL," he said. "They wouldn't be allowed to."

He went on: "We have a right to protest and if students genuinely see him as a threat on campus they have a right to shutdown the event and that's what happened."

A spokesman for the Met Police confirmed they had been called to the Gower Street building at 7pm.

He said: “Officers spoke to security at the university who were happy to let to demonstration go ahead on its grounds.

“They provided a policing presence during the demonstration. Police remained at the venue until the meeting ended safely.

“Following this, a woman made an allegation of common assault to officers and this is currently investigated by Camden police.”

A UCL spokesman said: "On 27 October, we did all we could to ensure that the UCLU Friends of Israel Society event could go ahead at UCL, working with our Security team and the Metropolitan police.

"It was widely advertised and open to the public, and as result a small but noisy group of protesters attended and occupied the rooms where the event was originally meant to take place.

"UCL Security found an alternative location and ensured the event went ahead safely. We regret protestors took measures to try to prevent the event from happening but stress that the protest was non-violent.

“We are aware that the Metropolitan police attended following accusations of assault and support them fully in their investigations.

"As this was a public event, it is unclear how many UCL students were present but we are instigating an enquiry and we will take appropriate disciplinary action where there is clear evidence that students may have breached our disciplinary regulations.”