London university students 'targeted' over pro-Palestine rallies

Several university students in the UK have been "targeted" for taking part in pro-Palestine rallies as the British government continues to back the Israeli regime's atrocities in Gaza.

According to a report in Middle East Eye published on Saturday, a group of four students and three alumni at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) were suspended last month for allegedly "violating health and safety protocols" by taking part in two pro-Palestine rallies.

Members of the group, some of whom belong to the SOAS's Palestine Society committee, took part in two rallies, one on 29 September during the students union fresher's fair and another outside the main entrance to the university on 9 October, shortly after the Israeli regime forces began its strikes on Gaza.

The suspended students allegedly moved towards the entrance and attempted to occupy a staircase at one of the rallies, according to an internal report by the university sighted by MEE. The report adds that a fire alarm went off shortly after the abortive attempt.

The students have denied the allegations cited in the report, demanding that they be allowed to return to their classes.

"This is a targeted act of political repression against," the Palestine Society said in a statement posted on X, formerly Twitter.

In the meantime, UK police are on standby as more than 40 pro-Palestine protests are expected to be held across the country this weekend after an extended seven-day Israel-Hamas ceasefire expired on Friday.

Pro-Palestine protesters in the UK are demanding a permanent ceasefire. The protest organizers say as long as the killing continues, they will also continue the rallies.

ME