Oxford Uni student arrested for inciting racial hatred over chant at pro-Palestinian protest

An Oxford University student has been arrested and suspended by the institution after leading a chant calling to “put the Zios in the ground” during a pro-Palestine demonstration.

Samuel Williams was arrested on suspicion of inciting racial hatred at the demonstration in central London on Saturday (11th October).

A clip shows the 20-year-old seemingly telling the crowd that the chant was “workshopped in Oxford” before leading others in repeating it, BBC reports.

via Unsplash

The University of Oxford confirmed a student had been arrested in the early hours of Wednesday, but said it had not been told why.

Officers investigated the incident at a Palestine Coalition demonstration after the chants made by Samuel were widely shared online. Metropolitan Police arrested the philosophy, politics and economics student on suspicion of inciting racial hatred.

In footage, Samuel, an undergraduate at Balloil College, appears to tell the crowd: “A steadfast and noble resistance in Palestine and in Gaza to look to, to be inspired by and – I don’t want to yap for too long – but a chant that we’ve been workshopping in Oxford that maybe you guys want to join in.

“It goes ‘Gaza, Gaza make us proud, put the Zios in the ground’.”

via Unsplash

A university spokesperson said: “An Oxford University student was arrested in the early hours of Wednesday, 15th October.

“The precise basis for the arrest has not yet been disclosed to the university.

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“While the university cannot comment on individual student cases, it has the power to take immediate and proportionate action including, as appropriate, suspending a student from membership of the University, whenever serious concerns are raised.

“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.”