Would you consider joining in an academic collaboration with an occupying state that continuously commits war crimes against the people of Palestine ?!! or do you have a different opinion on the matter?

Motion: "This house believes that UK academics should join the movement for academic boycott by refusing to engage with any Israeli academic institutions until Israel ends the occupation and abides by international law."

Speaking for the motion: Jonathan Rosenhead, Emeritus Prof. of Operational Research, London School of Economics 

Speaking against the motion: Dr. Hugh Hubbard, Research Fellow, School of Chemistry, University of Leeds

Chairing the debate will be: Dr Caoimhe Nic Dháibhéid, Lecturer in Modern History at the University of Sheffield. 








On 19 November, an academic emailed me. Dick Pitt  of Sheffield Palestine Solidarity Campaign had been in touch with her. He would be putting the pro-BDS case at a Sheffield University Debate on 27 November and he asked if she would like to put the anti-BDS case. In her email, she asked if I would like to put the anti-BDS case instead. If so, could I email Dick Pitt? I agreed at once and I emailed Dick Pitt on the same day.

An exchange of emails followed. In one of my emails, I put it to him that it was for  the organizers of the debate to invite speakers, and to choose now an anti-BDS speaker. Who were the organizers? I asked him to send me a contact email address, so I could contact them and give them some information about myself. It seemed most likely that it was Sheffield University Debating Society but there were other organizations which could have an interest in organizing a debate. He said that he'd forwarded my original email to him to the organizers. He didn't supply the organizers' contact address. I asked him again for a contact address but so far, he hasn't replied. I haven't been able to find out anything about this planned event. What's going on here?

Email sent to Dick Pitt, 24 November:
'The debate in which you claim to be speaking is still, it seems, ignored by the Internet. For example, it isn’t listed in the events for November in Sheffield University’s ‘Student news and events.’ You’ve ignored my request for information about the organizers and their email address, so now, I’m drawn some provisional conclusions. On my page [link given to this page] in the section ‘A debate in Sheffield: days of frustration,’ I give an extract from a student newspaper which describes disruption to a debate by pro-Palestinian activists. There’s no information about these activists. They may or may not have had a connection with Sheffield Palestine Solidarity Campaign. Given that free expression is a fundamental requirement for honest debate, it’s time now for Sheffield Palestine Solidarity Campaign to make a declaration that it promotes debate which is free from disruption. I intend to make these issues a principal focus of my own pro-Israel campaigning for some time.
 
Best Wishes,
 
Paul Hurt'

An article about disruption of a debate at Sheffield University, published in 'Forge today,' part of Sheffield University's 'Forge Media' (November 30, 2012):









On 19 November, an academic emailed me. Dick Pitt  of Sheffield Palestine Solidarity Campaign had been in touch with her. He would be putting the pro-BDS case at a Sheffield University Debate on 27 November and he asked if she would like to put the anti-BDS case. In her email, she asked if I would like to put the anti-BDS case instead. If so, could I email Dick Pitt? I agreed at once and I emailed Dick Pitt on the same day.

An exchange of emails followed. In one of my emails, I put it to him that it was for  the organizers of the debate to invite speakers, and to choose now an anti-BDS speaker. Who were the organizers? I asked him to send me a contact email address, so I could contact them and give them some information about myself. It seemed most likely that it was Sheffield University Debating Society but there were other organizations which could have an interest in organizing a debate. He said that he'd forwarded my original email to him to the organizers. He didn't supply the organizers' contact address. I asked him again for a contact address but so far, he hasn't replied. I haven't been able to find out anything about this planned event. What's going on here?

Email sent to Dick Pitt, 24 November:
'The debate in which you claim to be speaking is still, it seems, ignored by the Internet. For example, it isn’t listed in the events for November in Sheffield University’s ‘Student news and events.’ You’ve ignored my request for information about the organizers and their email address, so now, I’m drawn some provisional conclusions. On my page [link given to this page] in the section ‘A debate in Sheffield: days of frustration,’ I give an extract from a student newspaper which describes disruption to a debate by pro-Palestinian activists. There’s no information about these activists. They may or may not have had a connection with Sheffield Palestine Solidarity Campaign. Given that free expression is a fundamental requirement for honest debate, it’s time now for Sheffield Palestine Solidarity Campaign to make a declaration that it promotes debate which is free from disruption. I intend to make these issues a principal focus of my own pro-Israel campaigning for some time.
 
Best Wishes,
 
Paul Hurt'

An article about disruption of a debate at Sheffield University, published in 'Forge today,' part of Sheffield University's 'Forge Media' (November 30, 2012):

http://forgetoday.com/news/uni-debate-heckled-by-pro-palestine-activists/

'A group of hecklers interrupted speakers at the latest debating society event.

 

'Speakers from the University of Sheffield debating society were “incessantly insulted” as they talked on the topic of Israel’s launch of air strikes on Gaza, during its latest military offensive.

 

The debate entitled ‘this house condemns the Israeli air strikes’ took place on Monday November 26 at Coffee Revolution at 7pm.

 

The hecklers aimed their insults at those speaking in opposition calling them “an absolute disgrace” and “liars”.

...

 

'An observer at the event told Forge Press the speeches almost had to be stopped several times because of the constant insults.

...

 

 

'Adam Hawksbee, from the University of Sheffield debating society, said: “At Sheffield debating, we were incredibly disappointed that certain individuals in the audience decided to heckle and intimidate our speakers due to the content of their speech.

 

' “We’re very aware of how heated and emotional this topic is for many Sheffield students which is why we decided to put the debate on in the first place.

 

' "The temptation in the future for us would be to stay away from this controversial topic to avoid the disrespectful behaviour we witnessed on Monday.

 

' "However, we will ignore that temptation and continue to put these debates on in the hope those who don’t want free and open discussion will just stay at home.” '

 

This defence of free expression (and the reporting) is exemplary.

 

Not exemplary: Dr Abdel Takriti's disruption of  a talk whilst he was a doctoral student at Oxford University. He's now at Sheffield University. See my profile Dr A.Takriti (SU): historian, censor, slogan shouter.

 

Also from 'Forge Today' (25 September 2014).

http://forgetoday.com/news/debating-underdogs-storm-europe-in-university-competition/

 

'Matthew Willmore, 21, and Adam Hawksbee, 22, became the first European debating champions from a Yorkshire institution after defeating Oxford, Cambridge and Edinburgh universities in the final.


Radical Islamist ideas dominant in Palestinian society

The Pew Research Center carried out a very extensive survey of Muslim attitudes in 2013. The multi-page report can be found at http://www.pewforum.org/2013/0...

At the time of the survey, in the Palestinian territories

84% support stoning to death for adultery
66% support execution for Muslims leaving Islam
76% support punishments such as cutting off the hands of thieves
89% believe that homosexuality is morally wrong. More on Palestinian attitudes to homosexuality and the vastly different conditions in Israel.
Only 46% believe that honour killings are never justified (in the case of males)
Only 44% believe that honour killings are never justified (in the case of females)
87% agree that a wife must always obey her husband.

These are the views of Palestinians who believe that Sharia law should be the law of the country, but in the Palestinian territories, 89% believe that Sharia law should be the basis of the law.

 

According to a poll carried out by Pew Research in 2014, 62% of people in Gaza believed that suicide bombings are often justified or sometimes justified in support of Islam.

 

The British Polling Council gives a comprehensive guide to opinion polls, written by Peter Kellner:

 

http://www.britishpollingcouncil.org/questions.html

 

A film Crime and Punishment in the Gaza Strip is obviously not an overtly anti-Hamas piece. The questioning of officials isn't probing, but some interesting questions do get asked and some disturbing information is unearthed. During a visit to a prison, one woman prisoner is shown with her child: sentenced to six years for having a child out of wedlock. Below, her child, in the prison:

 

 

 

A woman who supports Fatah, not Hamas, describes how conditions changed when Hamas came to power. Now, women who say that they are being beaten by their husbands get nowhere when they ask for help at a police station. They're told to sort the problem out themselves. An official talks about methods of execution - hanging for civilians, shooting for military personnel. Earlier in the film,  four masked Hamas gunmen are shown giving a press conference in a street in Gaza. The subject is 'the criminal Zionist enemy.' 

 

 

 

 

Gaza is surely well advanced on the path to radical islamization. - ignoring other associations of the word 'advanced.'

 

 

A debate in Sheffield: days of frustration

 

A critical prolife of Dick Pitt.

On 19 November, an academic emailed me. Dick Pitt  of Sheffield Palestine Solidarity Campaign had been in touch with her. He would be putting the pro-BDS case at a Sheffield University Debate on 27 November and he asked if she would like to put the anti-BDS case. In her email, she asked if I would like to put the anti-BDS case instead. If so, could I email Dick Pitt? I agreed at once and I emailed Dick Pitt on the same day.

An exchange of emails followed. In one of my emails, I put it to him that it was for  the organizers of the debate to invite speakers, and to choose now an anti-BDS speaker. Who were the organizers? I asked him to send me a contact email address, so I could contact them and give them some information about myself. It seemed most likely that it was Sheffield University Debating Society but there were other organizations which could have an interest in organizing a debate. He said that he'd forwarded my original email to him to the organizers. He didn't supply the organizers' contact address. I asked him again for a contact address but so far, he hasn't replied. I haven't been able to find out anything about this planned event. What's going on here?

Email sent to Dick Pitt, 24 November:
'The debate in which you claim to be speaking is still, it seems, ignored by the Internet. For example, it isn’t listed in the events for November in Sheffield University’s ‘Student news and events.’ You’ve ignored my request for information about the organizers and their email address, so now, I’m drawn some provisional conclusions. On my page [link given to this page] in the section ‘A debate in Sheffield: days of frustration,’ I give an extract from a student newspaper which describes disruption to a debate by pro-Palestinian activists. There’s no information about these activists. They may or may not have had a connection with Sheffield Palestine Solidarity Campaign. Given that free expression is a fundamental requirement for honest debate, it’s time now for Sheffield Palestine Solidarity Campaign to make a declaration that it promotes debate which is free from disruption. I intend to make these issues a principal focus of my own pro-Israel campaigning for some time.
 
Best Wishes,
 
Paul Hurt'

An article about disruption of a debate at Sheffield University, published in 'Forge today,' part of Sheffield University's 'Forge Media' (November 30, 2012):

http://forgetoday.com/news/uni-debate-heckled-by-pro-palestine-activists/

'A group of hecklers interrupted speakers at the latest debating society event.

 

'Speakers from the University of Sheffield debating society were “incessantly insulted” as they talked on the topic of Israel’s launch of air strikes on Gaza, during its latest military offensive.

 

The debate entitled ‘this house condemns the Israeli air strikes’ took place on Monday November 26 at Coffee Revolution at 7pm.

 

The hecklers aimed their insults at those speaking in opposition calling them “an absolute disgrace” and “liars”.

...

 

'An observer at the event told Forge Press the speeches almost had to be stopped several times because of the constant insults.

...

 

'Adam Hawksbee, from the University of Sheffield debating society, said: “At Sheffield debating, we were incredibly disappointed that certain individuals in the audience decided to heckle and intimidate our speakers due to the content of their speech.

 

' “We’re very aware of how heated and emotional this topic is for many Sheffield students which is why we decided to put the debate on in the first place.

 

' "The temptation in the future for us would be to stay away from this controversial topic to avoid the disrespectful behaviour we witnessed on Monday.

 

' "However, we will ignore that temptation and continue to put these debates on in the hope those who don’t want free and open discussion will just stay at home.” '

 

This defence of free expression (and the reporting) is exemplary.

 

Not exemplary: Dr Abdel Takriti's disruption of  a talk whilst he was a doctoral student at Oxford University. He's now at Sheffield University. See my profile Dr A.Takriti (SU): historian, censor, slogan shouter.

 

Also from 'Forge Today' (25 September 2014).

http://forgetoday.com/news/debating-underdogs-storm-europe-in-university-competition/

 

'Matthew Willmore, 21, and Adam Hawksbee, 22, became the first European debating champions from a Yorkshire institution after defeating Oxford, Cambridge and Edinburgh universities in the final.






Not nearly so many people know that there's a Cuba Solidarity Campaign which claims to work for 'the Cuban people's right to self-determination and sovereignty.'

There's been a United States blockade of Cuba for a long time: 'February 2012 marks 50 years since the US imposed its vindictive blockade on Cuba - a vicious policy which has cost the Cuban economy at least $105 billions and cause the Cuban people immense suffering and hardship.

The blockade denies access to food, educational and medical equipment.'

'3,478 Cubans have died in terrorist attacks from US backed right-wing exile groups.

'For the 23rd consecutive year the UN voted to condemn the illegal US blockade of Cuba.'

There are no parallels with the settlements in Palestinian territory, but what there is in Cuba is Guantanamo Bay, a place which many boycotters could well think merits a boycott even if there were no other objections.

Many of the same people who call for a boycott of Israel have very firm opinions about US actions in such countries as Afghanistan. There are different estimates of civilian deaths in Aghanistan, but according to Jonathan Steele of the Guardian, up to 20,000 Afghans may have died as a consequence of the first four months of US airstrikes in Afghanistan. The total is far higher.

















Dear Jack,
 
A debate will be taking place at the University this evening (27 November), starting at 6.00. There are many, many issues involved, but the issue I particularly want to speak about, from the floor, is the issue of gay rights in Gaza. In Gaza, unlike Israel, there are no gay rights. Gay people in Gaza can be imprisoned. The maximum sentence is ten years. These laws certainly have majority support in Gaza. According to a survey by the Pew Research Center, 89% of people in the Palestinian territories believe that ‘homosexuality is morally wrong.’ I hope that if you can’t attend the debate yourself, you can spread the word so that people with an interest in LGBT issues can attend if possible. They may or may not want to speak themselves, but I think it would be very useful if people came to find out more  and to hear the case against Gaza and in favour of Israel – not a popular viewpoint at the moment, but one which deserves to be heard. I believe that the case is very, very strong, for many, many reasons, including the vastly more enlightened attitudes to gay people in Israel compared with the Palestinian territories.
 
I’ll be explaining why LGBT issues are not just relevant but important in opposing academic boycotts of Israel, the subject of the motion. Here is the motion, with other information:
 

There will be a debate about Academic Boycott: “This house believes that UK academics should join the movement for academic boycott by refusing to engage with any Israeli academic institutions until Israel ends the occupation and abides by international law.”

Venue/Timing

Venue : Firth Court Council Chamber

Type Discussion / Debate

Start date Thursday 27-11-2014 - 18:00

End date Thursday 27-11-2014 - 19:00

 
My Website www.linkagenet.com has an extensive page which puts the case for Israel www.linkagenet.com/themes/israel.htm   It includes a section on gay issues in Gaza and Israel, www.linkagenet.com/themes/israel.htm#homosexual  
 
Apologies for the short notice. I only recently obtained information about the debate. Dick Pitt, who is due to speak in favour of the motion, asked an academic if she would like to oppose the information. She suggested that I would be a suitable person to oppose it. I contacted Dick Pitt to inform him that I was very willing to speak against the motion. I asked for further information about the debate, including the organizers of the debate and their email address. Despite repeated requests, he was unwilling to supply the information. A protracted internet search revealed nothing. I’ve recently obtained the necessary information after making a visit to the Students’ Union. As I’ll be speaking from the floor rather than in the role of main speaker, I won’t have time to mention a range of issues. I’m determined, though, to at least draw attention to the severe treatment of gay people in Gaza, an issue which I regard as very important. I hope to have the opportunity to do this again on Saturday, when an event will take place ‘Commemorating UN Palestine Solidarity Day’ in the Students’ Union concourse .
 

Venue : SU Concourse

Type Society

Start date Saturday 29-11-2014 - 13:45

End date Saturday 29-11-2014 - 14:00

 
My page on Israel contains this: ‘Noting that over 70 countries still consider homosexuality a crime, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today appealed for its complete and universal decriminalization. In an event on sexual orientation at UN Headquarters in New York held in conjunction with Human Rights Day, Mr Ban deplored discrimination against homosexuals and the violence of which they are often victims ... ‘
 You may well disagree with many of my views on Israel, the Palestinians, and many other, unrelated, matters, but I’d make the point that very often, effective action depends upon coalitions, made up of people whose views on other matters may be very diverse, in fact opposing.
Best Wishes,
 
Paul Hurt




Dear Jack,
 
A debate will be taking place at the University this evening (27 November), starting at 6.00. There are many, many issues involved, but the issue I particularly want to speak about, from the floor, is the issue of gay rights in Gaza. In Gaza, unlike Israel, there are no gay rights. Gay people in Gaza can be imprisoned. The maximum sentence is ten years. These laws certainly have majority support in Gaza. According to a survey by the Pew Research Center, 89% of people in the Palestinian territories believe that ‘homosexuality is morally wrong.’ I hope that if you can’t attend the debate yourself, you can spread the word so that people with an interest in LGBT issues can attend if possible. They may or may not want to speak themselves, but I think it would be very useful if people came to find out more  and to hear the case against Gaza and in favour of Israel – not a popular viewpoint at the moment, but one which deserves to be heard.
 
I’ll be explaining why LGBT issues are not just relevant but important in opposing academic boycotts of Israel, the subject of the motion. Here is the motion, with other information:
 

There will be a debate about Academic Boycott: “This house believes that UK academics should join the movement for academic boycott by refusing to engage with any Israeli academic institutions until Israel ends the occupation and abides by international law.”

Venue/Timing

Venue : Firth Court Council Chamber

Type Discussion / Debate

Start date Thursday 27-11-2014 - 18:00

End date Thursday 27-11-2014 - 19:00

 
My Website www.linkagenet.com has an extensive page which puts the case for Israel www.linkagenet.com/themes/israel.htm   It includes a section on gay issues in Gaza and Israel, www.linkagenet.com/themes/israel.htm#homosexual  




I recently emailed the Showroom's Chief Executive to draw his attention to my Website www.linkagenet.com which has an extensive page on Israel-Palestinian matters www.linkagenet.com/themes/israel.htm I gave reasons for opposing the Showroom's collaboration with Sheffield Palestine Solidarity Campaign.

I've now added a section to the page on the Showroom cinema www.linkagenet.com/themes/israel.htm#showroom

This section is appreciative ('The Showroom Cinema in Sheffield is wonderful, a very important asset to the city'). I enthusiastically endorse the Showroom's collaboration with the philosophy department at Sheffield University. At the same time, there are criticisms. I've made every effort to be fair-minded, but it may be that I've exaggerated or misrepresented the Showroom's lack of independence in matters relating to Israel and the Palestinians.

I intend to revise the section and to publicize the matters discussed there, if it seems advisable.

Best Wishes,

Paul Hurt





Set against the chaotic backdrop of recent events in the Middle East, Nadav Schirman's The Green Prince retraces the details of a highly unprecedented partnership that developed between sworn enemies. In the style of a tense psychological thriller, this extraordinary documentary recounts the true story of the son of a Hamas leader who emerged as one of Israel's prized informants, and the Shin Bet agent who risked his career to protect him.

As a defiant teenager growing up in Palestine, Mosab Hassan Yousef's fervor against Israel was unquestionable, ultimately landing him in prison. Shaken by Hamas's brutality within the prison's walls and a growing disgust for their methods, particularly suicide bombing, he had an unexpected change of heart and began to see Hamas as more of a problem than a solution. Recruited by the Shin Bet (Israel's internal security agency) and given the code name "Green Prince," he spied on the Hamas elite for over a decade, constantly risking exposure and certain death while grappling with the perception that he had betrayed his own family and people. Along the way, what started as a cautious alliance between Mosab and his Shin Bet handler Gonen Ben Yitzhak grew into an enduring loyalty that no one could have predicted.

Based on Mosab Hassan Yousef's bestselling memoir Son of Hamas, The Green Prince exposes a complex world of terror, betrayal, and impossible choices. Through exclusive first-hand testimony, dramatic action sequences, and rare archival footage, decades of secrets come to light in this unflinching exploration of a profound spiritual transformation and the transcendent bonds of friendship.

The screening will be followed by a panel discussion.

 

]


















I hope to add a section on 'Cinema Palestino' and the Showroom Cinema to a page of my Website, www.linkagenet.com The page, a very extensive one, is concerned with Israel and Palestinian ideology, including critical comments concerning Palestinian society and branches of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign. The address of the page is www.linkagenet.com/themes/israel.htm

Although a high ranking in a search engine is obviously no guarantee of quality, the site has high rankings for a large number of search terms, including these current rankings in Google:

Palestinian ideology 7 / 2,920,000
ethics theory practice 7 / 19,700,000
Palestinians "harsh realities"  8 / 434,000

I value very much the Showroom's joint venture with the Philosophy Department of the University, which gives the opportunity for free and open debate after the showing of a film. I'm completely willing to debate issues concerning the Israel-Palestinian conflict at a future debate after the showing of a film concerned with Palestinian issues. You may find, though, that some pro-Palestinian-anti-Israel activists have no tolerance for free debate. I give instances of disruption on the page. Although 'The Green Prince' would be a suitable film, concerning as it does the son of a leader of Hamas who turns against Hamas and works for Israel, I'd be more than willing to watch any pro-Palestinian film, provided that there's the opportunity for free debate after the film has been shown.

Dear Mr Mills,

I sent a message recently concerning the Showroom's collaboration with Sheffield Palestine Solidarity Campaign, 'Cinema Palestino.' I think it would be useful if I made clear certain points.

I stated that I intended to add a section on the Showroom cinema and its collaboration on my page www.linkagenet.com/themes/israel.htm I would ensure that this section was as balanced and fair-minded as possible. I appreciate that the Showroom has presented films in connection with Holocaust Memorial Day. I understand that this year, the screening of 'Hannah Arendt' was introduced by Professor Sue Vice of Sheffield University. She is not in the least an anti-Israeli commentator. I also acknowledge that not all films which are about Palestinian experience are blatantly propagandist by any means, just as not all Iranian films support the shocking Iranian regime by any means. At the same time, I think I can show that there is a significant bias in the Showroom's policies.

I mentioned the fact that I was completely willing to debate the issues at a future screening of a film concerned with some aspect of Palestinian-Israeli relations. Realistically, although I would welcome the opportunity very much, I recognize that this would very likely involve the Showroom in insuperable difficulties. The section 'A debate in Sheffield ... ' on my page describes the disruption at one debate. Sheffield Palestine Solidarity campaign has never condemned disruption of free debate and has never promoted the values of free expression.

I've been an activist for various causes over a long period of time. I've handed out leaflets to publicize an issue, for example, and taken part in high profile demonstrations which have publicized an issue, whilst never at any time interfering with freedom of speech. I don't exclude the possibility that I would carry out leafletting outside the Showroom cinema, although this is unlikely.

Best Wishes,

Paul Hurt



On 19 November, an academic emailed me. Dick Pitt of Sheffield Palestine Solidarity Campaign had been in touch. He would be putting the pro-BDS case at a Sheffield University Debate on 27 November and he asked if she would like to put the anti-BDS case. In her email, she asked if I would like to put the anti-BDS case instead. If so, could I email Dick Pitt? I agreed at once and I emailed Dick Pitt on the same day.

An exchange of emails followed. In one of my emails, I put it to him that it was for  the organizers of the debate to invite speakers, and to choose now an anti-BDS speaker. Who were the organizers? I asked him to send me a contact email address, so I could contact them and give them some information about myself. It seemed most likely that it was Sheffield University Debating Society but there were other organizations which could have an interest in organizing a debate. He said that he'd passed on the information to the organizers. He didn't supply a contact address. I asked him again for a contact address but so far, he hasn't replied. I haven't been able to find out anything about this planned event. What's going on here?

A very interesting article about a previous debate at Sheffield University, published in 'Forge today,' part of Sheffield University's 'Forge Media' (November 30, 2012):

http://forgetoday.com/news/uni-debate-heckled-by-pro-palestine-activists/

'A group of hecklers interrupted speakers at the latest debating society event.

'Speakers from the University of Sheffield debating society were “incessantly insulted” as they talked on the topic of Israel’s launch of air strikes on Gaza, during its latest military offensive.

The debate entitled ‘this house condemns the Israeli air strikes’ took place on Monday November 26 at Coffee Revolution at 7pm.

The hecklers aimed their insults at those speaking in opposition calling them “an absolute disgrace” and “liars”.

...

'An observer at the event told Forge Press the speeches almost had to be stopped several times because of the constant insults.

...

'Adam Hawksbee, from the University of Sheffield debating society, said: “At Sheffield debating, we were incredibly disappointed that certain individuals in the audience decided to heckle and intimidate our speakers due to the content of their speech.

' “We’re very aware of how heated and emotional this topic is for many Sheffield students which is why we decided to put the debate on in the first place.

' "The temptation in the future for us would be to stay away from this controversial topic to avoid the disrespectful behaviour we witnessed on Monday.

' "However, we will ignore that temptation and continue to put these debates on in the hope those who don’t want free and open discussion will just stay at home.” '

Also from 'Forge Today' (25 September 2014).

http://forgetoday.com/news/debating-underdogs-storm-europe-in-university-competition/

'Matthew Willmore, 21, and Adam Hawksbee, 22, became the first European debating champions from a Yorkshire institution after defeating Oxford, Cambridge and Edinburgh universities in the final.