The recent chaos at Oxford University, the BBC’s ongoing bias, and the extremist campaigns of Palestine Action are not isolated events. They are part of a broader, more insidious pattern — one in which Islamic radicalism, both Sunni and Shia, has infiltrated the very institutions that form the backbone of Western democracies.

This is not merely a matter of anti-Israel rhetoric; it is an existential threat to the principles of free speech, impartiality, and democratic governance.

At Oxford, a debate that should have embodied the finest traditions of intellectual discourse descended into something far more sinister. Pro-Israel speakers were heckled, Jewish students felt too intimidated to attend, and a motion accusing Israel of genocide was debated in a chamber where the atmosphere was described as "hostile and toxic."

More disturbingly, speakers like Miko Peled openly glorified Hamas’s October 7 massacre as “acts of heroism,” and the majority of participants declared they would not have informed authorities to prevent the attack.

This was not a debate; it was a show trial. It exemplified how radical ideology has seized control of academic spaces, turning them into echo chambers where only one narrative — an anti-Israel, anti-democratic one — is permitted. What happened at Oxford is emblematic of how jihadist rhetoric has embedded itself within Western academia, not through direct confrontation but by masquerading as liberation and justice.

The BBC, too, provides a stark example of how radicalism has infiltrated our institutions. Its bias against Israel is well-documented, but the resignation of staff following the NUJ’s directive to wear Palestinian colours reveals something even more troubling.

This was not journalism; it was activism cloaked in the veneer of impartiality. The BBC, once a trusted global news source, now appears compromised, with its editorial decisions influenced by narratives that vilify Israel while ignoring the broader consequences of such bias.

Then there is Palestine Action, an organisation that epitomises the blending of radicalism and performative activism. While claiming to champion justice for Palestinians, its methods — vandalism, harassment, and disruption — reveal a deeper agenda: the demonisation of Israel and the erosion of democratic norms.

Its tactics are not about dialogue or solutions but about creating chaos, undermining the rule of law, and legitimising extremism under the guise of activism.

These examples — Oxford, the BBC, and Palestine Action — are not isolated but interconnected. They illustrate how jihadist ideology, both directly and indirectly, has wormed its way into the West’s nervous system. By exploiting our openness, radical actors have managed to reframe their agenda as one of resistance against colonialism, oppression, or apartheid. But scratch beneath the surface, and the true aim becomes clear: the destabilisation of democratic societies and the advancement of an absolutist, anti-democratic worldview.

What makes this infiltration so dangerous is its ability to manipulate Western guilt and values. The language of liberation is wielded to obscure the extremism lurking beneath.

Words like “justice” and “human rights” are stripped of their meaning and repurposed to defend terrorism and undermine Israel’s legitimacy. And all of this is done while exploiting the freedoms — of speech, of association, of thought — that exist only in democratic societies.

The danger, however, extends far beyond Israel or the Jewish diaspora. Radicalism’s ultimate target is democracy itself. The attack on Israel is merely the opening act — a convenient battleground for testing and exporting ideologies that seek to dismantle the very fabric of free societies. Once democratic norms are eroded in the name of opposing Zionism, they are eroded for everyone.

If left unchecked, this infiltration will continue to spread. Academia will produce graduates indoctrinated rather than educated. Media organisations will amplify extremist narratives instead of providing balanced reporting. NGOs and activist groups will further blur the line between advocacy and extremism.

And institutions like Oxford and the BBC, once symbols of excellence and integrity, will become unrecognisable, their reputations irreparably tarnished.

To counter this threat, the West must first recognise it. What happened at Oxford is not an exercise in free speech; it is the silencing of dissent. The BBC’s actions are not journalistic impartiality; they are capitulation to radical agendas. Palestine Action is not activism; it is extremism dressed up as a cause.

The response must be decisive. Universities like Oxford must protect free speech, not enable intimidation. Media organisations like the BBC must recommit to impartiality and hold themselves accountable. Governments must scrutinise funding sources for NGOs and charities, ensuring that foreign state actors cannot bankroll campaigns designed to destabilise Western society.

Above all, we must reaffirm the values that radicalism seeks to destroy: democracy, individual freedom, and the rule of law. These principles are not abstract ideals but the bedrock of our civilisation. Defending them requires courage — not only from leaders but from all of us who believe in a free and fair society.

The examples of Oxford, the BBC, and Palestine Action are warnings. They show how far the infiltration has progressed and how urgent the need is to push back. This is not merely about defending Israel or the Jewish diaspora; it is about defending the very idea of the West. If we fail to act, the cost will be borne by all who cherish freedom.

Catherine Perez-Shakdam is the Executive Director at We Believe In Israel