London: In a first, a UK higher education institution expelled a Palestinian student for her pro-Palestinian activism. It was the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) of the University of London that expelled student Haya Adam, but after a series of disciplinary measures, reports stated.
It is a student group titled SOAS Liberated Zone, which called the expulsion the first of its kind, sharing a video on Instagram. The group condemned the university's action and accused it of silencing student voices. The group also pledged to continue campaigning.
Law and International Relations student Adam said in the video that she was informed by mail that the university decided to let her leave, citing claims of harassment, abusive behaviour and operational obstruction.
According to her, she joined SOAS in September 2023 seeking “an anti-colonial education” and a platform to address global injustices.
She alleged that beneath the pretence of undoing colonialism, SOAS is a tool of empire and imperialism.
Disciplinary actions against her started in June 2024, she said, accusing her of joining an unauthorised protest. Then she was suspended for nine months after she questioned the university's Vice Chancellor, Adam Habib, about the institution's position on the Palestinian conflict. She also claimed that she was disciplined for being near an incident involving the Students’ Union CEO, though she didn’t have a role in the incident.
According to Adam, she was expelled after she posted a political commentary video criticising the Students’ Union and a representative she accused of not fulfilling their manifesto commitments, writes Siasat.
In the video, she also mentions one Tara Mann, her fellow student, who has been banned from campus for six months for the university’s alleged partnerships linked to Israel.
Incidents of pro-Palestinian students being dealt with suspensions and other punishments are increasing on UK campuses.