Calling Hamas terrorists is “dehumanising”, an academic claimed as a controversial book launch went ahead at the London School of Economics (LSE).

Prof Jeroen Gunning, of King’s College London (KCL), told the event that “labelling” the Palestinian terror group as “terrorists” leads to their “dehumanisation”.

The academic was speaking at a launch event for his book entitled Understanding Hamas: And Why It Matters, which was co-authored by Helena Cobban, at LSE on Monday.

The book, which claims Hamas is “misunderstood”, has been widely criticised in recent weeks.

But the university refused to cancel the launch event, claiming it was defending “free speech” by hosting it.

Hundreds of protesters waved Israel flags as they demonstrated outside the event, which the Israeli ambassador to Britain said would “provide a platform for Hamas propaganda”.

Prof Gunning, who is professor of Middle Eastern politics and conflict at KCL, said: “The labelling of Hamas as terrorists has devastating effects. 

“I argue that the labelling of Hamas as terrorists has devastating effects. It erases the historical context to the attacks. It facilities the dehumanisation of not just Hamas, but all Gazans.”