An Oxford University student who chanted “Gaza, Gaza make us proud, put the Zios in the ground” at a London rally has been arrested by Metropolitan Police officers.
Samuel Williams, who is reading Politics, Philosophy and Economics at Balliol College, was filmed among a crowd of people during a Palestine Coalition protest in Westminster on Saturday, October 11.
Williams, who is reportedly from Tunbridge Wells in Kent, has also been suspended by the university.
A spokesman for the Met said on Wednesday: “Officers investigating chants filmed at a Palestine Coalition demonstration in central London on Saturday, October 11, have made an arrest.
“A 20-year-old man was arrested at an address in Oxfordshire on Wednesday, October 15, on suspicion of inciting racial hatred. He remains in police custody.”
Oxford University said in a statement: “The precise basis for the arrest has not yet been disclosed to the University.
“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.”
Tens of thousands of people marched from the Victoria Embankment to Downing Street to mark two years since Israel launched its military campaign against Hamas in response to the October 7 massacre.
Stalls selling keffiyeahs stood along the River Thames as the demonstration began, while people handed out placards that read “from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” and “It’s not a crime to act against genocide”.
The demonstration came just days after the first phase of a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal accepted by Israel and Hamas.
Scotland Yard said it made 14 arrests for offences including breaching Public Order Act conditions, affray and supporting a proscribed group.
Israel's response to the massacre of October 7, 2023 has killed more than 60,000 Palestinians, according to Gazan health officials, and destroyed much of the coastal territory.
