A controversial lecture at Brooklyn College went ahead last night despite protests outside.

A few dozen people protested the lecture by Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions, a group that supports the withdrawal of Israel from the Palestian territories.

About 200 people attended the event, which was closed to the media.

Critics say the speakers want to see the destruction of the state of Israel, and Brooklyn College should not have sponsored it.

"The issue has never been the event itself. Students have the right to hold these kinds of events, as distasteful as it may be to me and many other people. The issue has been when the university gives its seal of approval and that's exactly what they've done," said State Assemblyman Dov Hikind.

Brooklyn College says sponsoring the event is not the same as an endorsement.