Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi encountered opposition during a debate on populism and democracy at the prestigious University of Oxford on Thursday night. Pelosi was in town to take part in a motion put forward by the Oxford Union, titled "This house believes populism is a threat to democracy."

As Pelosi took the podium, her initial minutes were marred by technical difficulties with the microphones. Amidst these challenges, two students wearing "Youth Demand" T-shirts entered the venue holding Palestinian flags, positioning themselves in front of Pelosi. The silent protesters remained for the entirety of Pelosi's 20-minute speech before they were later escorted out by the police.

Despite the disruption, Pelosi appeared undeterred and expressed her support for the right to protest. She highlighted that her own Democratic party had recently displayed Ukraine flags in Congress to commemorate the passage of a significant aid bill. Speaking over chants from outside the building through a working microphone, Pelosi voiced her belief that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "has to go" and emphasized the need to end the suffering in Gaza.

Pelosi's recent criticism of Netanyahu aligns with her earlier comments made during an interview with Ireland's RTE News, where she, along with fellow Democrat Chuck Schumer, argued that Netanyahu's resignation was necessary as he was seen as an "obstacle to the two-state solution." During her speech at Oxford, Pelosi reiterated this sentiment, asserting the importance of both sides agreeing to a peaceful resolution.

The main event, initially intended to feature Pelosi debating against James Schneider, who previously handled communications for Labour's former left-wing leader Jeremy Corbyn, saw a last-minute change. Schneider withdrew from the debate and was replaced by a student.

In the courtyard of the historic 19th-century union, a security guard explained to a student the commotion surrounding Pelosi's presence, stating that "lots of people aren't a fan" of the former House Speaker.

The protest at the University of Oxford's Oxford Union debate highlights the ongoing debates and conflicts surrounding the war in Gaza and the perceived threats of populism to democracy. Pelosi's willingness to engage with protesters and express her stance on the matter further underscores the significance of such discussions on a global platform.