The Oxford Union, one of the world’s most influential debating societies, has voted “overwhelmingly” in favor of a motion arguing that Israel is a greater threat to regional stability than Iran, following an intense and widely watched debate featuring former Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh and UN Watch director Hillel Neuer.
According to reports, members backed the motion by a significant margin, reflecting shifting attitudes within one of Britain’s most high-profile student institutions.
Arguments Supporting the Motion
Speaking in favor of the proposition, Shtayyeh portrayed Israel as the central destabilizing actor in the Middle East. He described it as “an expansionist colonial state established by colonial powers,” asserting that Israel routinely disregards international law.
He accused Israel of enforcing “a colonial regime based on apartheid against the Palestinian people,” claiming that its actions amount to “brutal occupation, crimes and genocide.”
Shtayyeh argued that Israel’s policies repeatedly push the region toward conflict, adding that some Israeli lawmakers envision borders stretching “from the Nile to the Euphrates.”
“We all should say that Israel is the biggest cause of destabilization in the region,” he concluded.
Arguments Against the Motion
Opposing the proposition, Hillel Neuer rejected the notion that Israel is the destabilizing force in the region, insisting that Iran’s network of militant proxies represents the true threat.
“Regional stability is measured by who starts wars, not by who stops them,” Neuer said.
“Israel does not arm terror proxies in five Arab countries – the regime in Iran does that.”
Neuer pointed to Iran’s large-scale attack on Israel earlier this year, involving drones, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles. He argued that the coordinated interception conducted by several Arab states demonstrated their alignment with Israel against Iranian aggression.
“You don’t intercept missiles heading towards a threat to regional stability – you intercept missiles from one,” he added.
A Debating Society Under Increasing Scrutiny
Founded in 1823, the Oxford Union has grown into a global platform for controversial and politically charged discussions. Its debates on Israel have attracted heightened attention in recent years.
Last year, members passed a separate motion declaring Israel “an apartheid state responsible for genocide,” by 278 votes to 59 — a vote that drew significant criticism and international debate.