Israel’s ambassador to Britain has accused a leading university of “providing a platform for Hamas propaganda” by hosting a book launch.

Tzipi Hotovely has called for the London School of Economics (LSE) to cancel a talk about the book Understanding Hamas: And Why It Matters, on Monday, warning it would “grow support” for the terrorist group among students.

Its synopsis describes the Palestinian terrorist group as “a widely misunderstood movement whose involvement in a just resolution of the Israel/Palestine conflict will be critical”.

In a letter to Larry Kramer, the president of the LSE, Ms Hotovely wrote: “I am deeply concerned that the event is providing a platform for Hamas propaganda – a terror organisation proscribed under United Kingdom law.

“I worry that by promoting such a book, which sympathises with and justifies the survival and existence of Hamas, will only serve to grow support for a brutal terror organisation among your students and beyond.”

She expressed “sincere hope that you will reconsider allowing the event to go ahead”.