CW: Antisemitism
A student at the University of Oxford was arrested in the early hours of yesterday morning after a video of him chanting “put the Zios in the ground” at a pro-Palestine protest was posted online. It is believed the student has been suspended from the University of Oxford as a result. Earlier today, Prime Minister Keir Starmer criticised Oxford’s “slow” response to the case.
The student, who studies Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE) at Balliol College, was participating at a Palestine Coalition demonstration in central London on Saturday 11th October. In the video, he leads a crowd in the chant: “Gaza, Gaza make us proud, put the Zios in the ground.” He also said that the chant had been “workshopp[ed]” in Oxford.
The Metropolitan Police issued a statement saying they have arrested a man “on suspicion of inciting racial hatred” as part of their investigation into chants at Saturday’s protest. They said he was arrested at an address in Oxfordshire and “remains in police custody”.
A spokesperson for Oxford University told the BBC that they were informed a student had been arrested, but that “the precise basis for the arrest has not yet been disclosed to the university”.
The Telegraph has also reported that the student was subsequently suspended. The University was unable to confirm this but told Cherwell: “It has the power to take immediate and proportionate action including, as appropriate, suspending a student from membership of the University.”
Under Statute XI, the Proctors have the power to impose “precautionary measures”, such as suspension, pending a criminal investigation. This can be appealed by the student.
The University’s statement continued: “Oxford University is unequivocal: there is no place for hatred, antisemitism or discrimination within our community, and we will always act to protect the safety and dignity of our students.”
Sir Keir Starmer criticised Oxford University for their handling of this case. During a visit to the Community Security Trust this afternoon, a charity which monitors antisemitism in the UK, Starmer said that universities “should not be a place where Jewish students fear even to go”.
Starmer called out universities for their poor responses to cases of antisemitism and, in particular, described Oxford’s reaction as “slow” in the “clearest of clear cases”. The Telegraph also reported that ministers have been in close contact with the University to ensure that antisemitism is eradicated from the student body. The University declined to comment further on this matter.
The Metropolitan Police declined to comment.
The student and Balliol College have been contacted for comment.
