After calling out Israeli apartheid, this professor can't speak at 2 UK universities

Both Middlesex University London and the University of East London cancelled events where Professor Richard Falk was scheduled to speak this week.

Falk is a former United Nations special investigator on human rights in the Palestinian territories and co-author of a UN report that labeled Israel an "apartheid regime."

The well known critic of Israel and the U.S. was notified that his events at both universities were cancelled for "safety concerns" after he faced "disruptions" during an event at the London School of Economics last week, according to the Independent.

"As far as I can tell, there is a growing kind of feeling that the educational establishment in Britain, specifically in England, has been kind of intimidated in dealing with those who are seen as critics of Israel," Falk says in an interview with Middle East Eye. 

A spokesperson for Middlesex University explained that a day before, officials noticed "that the University’s External Speakers Policy had not been adequately followed.”

The spokesperson added that the university would consider "welcoming Professor Falk" on other occasions when the appropriate procedures are followed.

The now withdrawn UN report titled "Israeli Practices Toward the Palestinian People and the Question of Apartheid" - released earlier this month in Beirut - was co-authored by Falk and Virginia Tilley. 

Regarded as a "first of its type," the report labels Israel "a racist state that has established an apartheid system that persecutes the Palestinian people."

The report called on the international community to prevent and punish instances of apartheid and caused outrage in both the U.S. and Israel before being withdrawn by the UN. 

“It appears to be an instance where the new UN Secretary-General [Antonio Guterres] gave way to pressure coming particularly from Washington, but also from Israel,” Falk says in an interview with Middle East Eye. 

The withdrawal eventually lead to the resignation of Rima Khalaf, former UN Undersecretary-General and ESCWA Executive Secretary.

After the report was published Falk, a Princeton University professor faced accusations of anti-semitism and bias.

Nevertheless, he continues to defend the report and warns that "depriving students of exposure to controversial issues limits their training and experience for becoming engaged citizens".