A visit to the University of Kent by the Israeli Ambassador to the UK was met with a protest by students tonight, including Palestinian supporters and the Islamic Society.

Around 40 people joined in the peaceful demonstration and held placards indicating their displeasure.

The ambassador, Mark Regev was invited to lead a discussion by the Kent Current Affairs Society and Kent Jewish Society, but his heavily policed attendance sparked a defiant response.

The protest organiser, who did not want to be named, said: "Students were against this event for a number of reasons and these were outlined within the statement that we sent the Union- and not based solely on Mr Regev’s previous ‘inflammatory’ remarks.

"It was also the fact that this was a highly policed and militarized event where students did not feel safe and did not allow for academic discussion because Palestinian students and pro-Palestinians have been targeted in the past for their stances against Israel."

In the build up to his visit, protest organisers sent a 100 signature letter to university bosses asking for it to be cancelled.

A trustee of the Canterbury Mosque also sent an email to the vice-chancellor expressing concerns, but claims no reply was forthcoming.

Islamic Society members say Mr Regev should not have been invited because of his alleged past comments and inflammatory statements.

And the Imam Ihsan Khan also accused university bosses of hypocrisy after it previously blocked a visit its members had organised by controversial preacher Haitham-al Haddad.

"We have two issues - firstly he should not be allowed to speak because of his comments on Palestine and secondly, it's double standards," said Ihsan Khan.

Mr Regev was invited to lead a discussion about Israel's position on the international stage which was followed by a question and answer session.

His previous invitations by Jewish societies at other universities, including the Soas University of London, have also sparked similar protests from opposition groups.

But Mr Khan added: "We are condemming the university for allowing this speaker. He has made some very inflammatory remarks against Palestine in the past.

"Our issues with the university include hypocrisy because they have banned previous speakers, not just from our society, on the grounds that it would cause offence to other student societies."

"So now we are taking matters to a silent protest to express our concerns."

The university has been asked to respond.