In a contentious debate at the historic Oxford Union, students voted 265 to 113 in favor of the motion declaring Israel a greater threat to regional stability than Iran.
The Thursday evening session drew sharp divisions, with proponents arguing that Israel’s actions exert broader international influence, rendering its alleged “aggression” more destabilizing to the Middle East.
“Israel’s policies have ripple effects across the globe due to its alliances and military reach,” said one supporter, a politics student who spoke on condition of anonymity. Backers highlighted Israeli military operations in Gaza and the Judea-Samaria region, as well as strikes on Iranian-linked targets in Syria, as evidence of disproportionate impact.
Opponents vehemently countered, emphasizing Iran’s nuclear ambitions, ballistic missile development and proxy warfare through groups such as Hezbollah. They accused Tehran of fueling conflicts in Syria, Yemen and beyond, while noting that several Sunni Arab states privately regard Iran — not Israel — as an existential threat and depend on Israeli capabilities to balance Tehran’s influence.
“Iran is arming militias that destabilize entire nations,” argued a debater from the opposition side. “Israel defends itself against those very threats.”
The Oxford Union, founded in 1823, is known for hosting high-profile debates on global issues. Thursday’s vote reflects ongoing campus tensions over the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and broader Middle East geopolitics, though such motions are nonbinding and symbolic.
No injuries or disruptions were reported during the event.
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