Everything you need to know about Royal Holloway Israel Society’s potential ratification

There has been upset at Royal Holloway, University of London, due to the potential ratification of the Israel Society.

The society, which has not yet been approved by the SU, is hoping to be ratified in September. However, since news spread of its aim to become a ratified society, members have faced backlash.

Many students at Royal Holloway, including the committee members of the Friends of Palestine Society, are trying to prevent the ratification.

This situation has divided campus, with many students saying they are losing trust in the Students’ Union for not listening to their concerns, whilst others want their state to have representation on campus.

There is a petition to stop the ratification

On June 4th 2025, the RHSU Friends of Palestine Society created a petition that was signed by over 800 students who were against the ratification of the Israel Society. This was then sent to the Students’ Union, with the hope of getting the process stopped.

According to comments from other Royal Holloway students, the Royal Holloway Students’ Union has been known to stop the ratification of other societies. The petition was ultimately not successful, with the Students’ Union advising students to seek support from wellbeing services.

In the video below, Huda El Jamal, the president of the Friends of Palestine society, describes the situation and the steps that the society has taken.

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A post shared by RHUL Friends of Palestine (@rhulfriendsofpalestine)

‘Ignoring the petition is deeply hypocritical’

A number of students responded to the video, with one writing: “The SU has denied the ratification of multiple potential societies, from ones representing beliefs or origins, to societies focused on different academic pursuits…

“Ignoring this petition is deeply hypocritical of them, and an overwhelming failure of why they exist in the first place.”

A post from the Instagram story of the RHSU Friends of Palestine society

Another also spoke out against the decision, citing the Romanian Society, which did not get ratified by the SU: “Let’s note down that the SU didn’t allow for my friends to create the Romanian Society because it ‘excluded the rest of the Balkans and made them feel excluded’.

“They had the power to stop a society from forming and a whole demographic of people from getting recognition over a trivial matter, especially given how many exclusive Balkan societies there are, but then turn around and say they cannot stop the ‘Israeli Soc’ from forming when hundreds of people have actively petitioned against it. That SHOWS you that the SU is picking sides.”

Some Royal Holloway students have spoken out in favour of ratification

Other Royal Holloway students have also spoken out about the situation, with some advocating for ratification, and other opposing it.

Brodie Mitchell, a first year politics, international relations and law, also spoke to The London Tab.

“As a non-religious British student, I believe deeply in freedom of speech and association, values that should apply equally to all students, regardless of political leaning, background, or identity,” he said. “That includes the right to establish student societies, so long as they do not promote extremism or hate.”

He said he found the debate “deeply troubling”, adding: “We don’t apply this same energy to other societies that represent countries with troubling human rights records. No one objects to the Afghan Society, despite the Taliban’s oppression of women.”

An Instagram Story by Friends of Palestine Society showing societies who signed the petition

Second-year history student and proposed Israel Soc president Evaldas Barstys is also in favour of the Israel Society being ratified by RHUL’s SU.

He said the creation of the society “should not be viewed as a controversial move” and that “penalising student societies for the actions of their government’s sets a dangerous and inconsistent precedent”.

Evaldas also called the issue “antisemitic”, adding: “As the proposed President of the Israel Society and current Secretary of the Jewish Society, I remain optimistic that our application will be ratified. Should that not be the case, I am fully prepared to pursue legal action to ensure that Jewish and Israeli students are afforded the same rights and representation as every other group on campus.”

Jael Cohen Rothschild, a social science student at Cardiff Metropolitan University, also spoke out about the debate.

“I absolutely believe the Israel Society has the right to be ratified, and frankly, I’m deeply disturbed that this is even up for debate,” she said.

“Every other national or cultural group is allowed to organise freely on campus, but the moment Jewish or Israeli students try to do the same, it becomes a source of outrage.”

Jael continued by saying the debate is “exhausting”, saying it comes down to “whether Jewish and Israeli students are allowed to exist openly and safely in university spaces.”

Identifying as a Jewish Israeli herself, Jael added: “It shouldn’t be controversial to want a space where we can celebrate our identity, culture, and community – especially when so many of us already feel isolated and targeted.”

She concluded by saying that Jewish students now feel “unwelcome”, and that people are “protesting an action or policy – they’re protesting us. And that is terrifying.”

Other students are against the ratification

Juno Worth, a politics and international relations student told The London Tab: “Opposition to what is undoubtedly a colonial project is never anti-semitism.”

Another student, Noah Nahawi added: “It’s disappointing to see the lack of action and urgency coming from the Students’ Union about a society whose clear goal when being created is to antagonise and counter Friends of Palestine’s mission.”

A third student, Zoha Ahmed, also called the Students’ Union’s response “deeply disappointing”, saying it is “an organisation meant to represent students’ interests, amplify their voices, and act with transparency-has handled this situation.”

“With over 900 students signing a petition against the proposed ratification of the Israel society, it is vital that the Student Union responds transparently and in alignment with the will of the student body,” noted Farha Faizal, a digital innovation and management student at the uni.

“The lack of clarity and urgency in addressing this matter not only undermines trust in our democratic processes, but also raises serious questions about whose voices are truly being heard.”

What have the SU and the societies had to say?

Royal Holloway Students’ Union told The London Tab: “The ratification of student groups is a student-led process, as outlined our Constitution and Byelaws. Groups are assessed by a student panel based on their purpose, financial plan and sustainability. This process is democratic, peer-led, and designed to ensure transparency, inclusivity, and student ownership.

 “Together with the university, we are committed to supporting an environment where students respectfully engage with student life and healthy debate ensuring that we meet our requirements set out by law and in our joint Freedom of Speech Code of Practice. Should concerns arise regarding a breach of the law, we will engage with the University to review the matter further and explore what steps might need to be taken.”

RHSU Israel Society said: “The proposed Israel Society is being established to celebrate Israeli culture, support Israeli and Jewish students, and affirm Israel’s right to exist – a right held by every nation.

“Our aim is not to oppose or undermine any other society, but to foster an inclusive space for students who identify with, or are interested in Israel.

“The backlash we have faced for simply seeking representation is deeply concerning. No student group should be subjected to hostility for peacefully expressing their identity. The assumption that our existence is a provocation is unfair and deeply problematic. We believe in the right of all students to express their culture and identity without fear. Our hope is to contribute to the diversity of campus life, not divide it.”

A spokesperson for Royal Holloway’s Friends of Palestine Society also commented on the situation, saying: “Friends of Palestine has always, and will continue to stand for free speech and open dialogue, however the creation of an Israel Society by non-Israeli citizens can be seen as nothing more than further provocation by students who have repeatedly tried to sabotage FoPs mission on campus.

“The potential creation of this society who’s full purpose is to counteract and be an opponent to FoP without any serious consideration for bridging gaps and creating forums for understanding will always be rejected by us, our members, and every student of conscious.”

The London Tab has approached Royal Holloway, University of London for comment but has not yet received a response.