Oxford Union president calls Hamas terrorists ‘heroes,’ defends Oct. 7 massacre

The president of the famed British debating society faces calls to resign over praise for the Hamas terror organization and apparent justification of the Oct. 7 bloodbath.

By World Israel News Staff

The president of Britain’s famed Oxford Union debating society is facing renewed scrutiny over comments praising the Hamas terror organization and seemingly justifying the massacre of Israelis on October 7, 2023.

Arwa Elrayess, who was elected Oxford Union president for Trinity Term 2026, faced calls to resign Tuesday night after messages she penned in a private student WhatsApp group were leaked.

Elrayess suggested it was “quite rich” to “act shocked” over Hamas’ conduct, suggesting that Israel’s policies in Judea, Samaria, and Gaza were to blame for the 2023 invasion of Israel.

“I think the severity of resistance is often proportional to the severity of oppression,” she wrote.

In follow-up comments, Elrayess repeatedly downplayed Hamas atrocities, claiming the terror group’s actions were “less than proportional” to Israel’s policies.

“This is not to justify anything, but just to point out that it’s quite rich to allow for decades of systematic oppression and massacres only to act shocked when the resistance movement responds with proportional severity.”

“In fact, some would argue it’s less than proportional.”

In a statement to The Telegraph, Elrayess acknowledged writing the messages but denied she intended her comments as an endorsement of Hamas.

“My messages are in an informal register and not written as a legal brief or a public statement, but I welcome the opportunity to clarify the context, the factual basis, and what I was and was not arguing.

“This was a discussion about proportionality. I do not support or condone breaches of international law – such as the deliberate targeting of civilians, hostage‑taking, the use of famine as a weapon, or any other grave breaches – whether carried out by Hamas or by Israel.

Elrayess, a second-year PPE student at St. Edmund Hall, was elected in November as part of the #ENGAGE slate, defeating Liza Barkova by about 150 first-preference votes, according to The Oxford Student.

The student newspaper reported that her campaign focused on internal governance, financial controls and reducing the role of internal politics in the Union’s operations.

Her election was already notable because she is understood to be the first Palestinian president of the 202-year-old debating society.

The latest report comes after a series of controversies involving the Oxford Union, including disputes over Israel-related debates, allegations of antisemitism, and disciplinary proceedings involving a former president-elect who appeared to celebrate the killing of US conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

The Guardian reported last year that the Oxford Union condemned comments by George Abaraonye, who had been elected president, after he reportedly posted messages about Kirk’s shooting. The Union said at the time that the remarks did not represent its leadership or values and that it “firmly opposes all forms of political violence.”

Abaraonye later said he had “reacted impulsively” and that his comments “did not reflect my values.”

The Union also faced criticism in recent days over its partnership with the Palestine Forum in Britain for its Trinity Term ball.