Campus Protests at SOAS: Student Suspensions and Debates Over Academic Freedom

During a period of heightened debate over international support and Middle East affairs, a decision was taken to suspend a number of students from the University of London’s School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) who had participated in a rally backing Palestine. This happened after a local student collective, Palestine Community, publicly confirmed the suspension through a Telegram post, signaling a formal action by the university in response to what it described as disruptive conduct during demonstrations. The event underscored mounting tensions between campus activism and university governance, as supporters of Palestine argued that the leadership at SOAS was applying political pressure through disciplinary measures and procedural sanctions. Members of the Palestine Society insisted that their participation in peaceful protests would continue, viewing the suspensions as an attempt to intimidate or chill student political expression on campus. The broader community watched closely as questions of academic freedom, student rights, and institutional responsibility intersected in a high-profile case that drew attention from national media, campus watchdogs, and international observers alike.