Oxford University has suspended a 20-year-old undergraduate student accused of leading an antisemitic chant at a pro-Palestine demonstration in central London. Samuel Williams, who studies Politics, Philosophy and Economics at Balliol College, is understood to have been arrested in the early hours of October 15, at an address in Oxfordshire on suspicion of inciting racial hatred after the video circulated online The university is also believed to have suspended him on the same day.
The incident occurred during a mass rally organised by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign on 11 October 2025. Footage shows Williams speaking through a microphone near the front of the march. He said protesters had “workshopped” a chant in Oxford and invited the crowd to join. The chant was: “Gaza, Gaza make us proud, put the Zios in the ground.” “Zios” is a derogatory term for Zionists. Other videos show Williams among protesters holding banners that read “Oxford University pick a side, justice or genocide.”
Mr Williams’s social media activity has provided further insight into his activism. Screenshots from his Instagram account, which was made private shortly after the arrest, depict him sharing pro-Palestine content, including images from protests where he poses with a mock AK-47 rifle and wearing a keffiyeh. He has also advertised himself as a “native German” tutor on a language learning website.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed the arrest of an individual in a statement, saying: “Officers investigating chants filmed at a Palestine Coalition demonstration in central London on Saturday, 11 October, have made an arrest.
“A 20-year-old man was arrested at an address in Oxfordshire on Wednesday 15 Oct on suspicion of inciting racial hatred. He remains in police custody.” The police did not name the suspect.
Oxford University subsequently confirmed the arrest of one of its students.
A statement said: “An Oxford University student was arrested in the early hours of Wednesday 15 Oct. 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.”
The university added: “Oxford University is unequivocal: there is no place for hatred, anti-Semitism or discrimination within our community, and we will always act to protect the safety and dignity of our students.”
Williams is from Tunbridge Wells in Kent. It is unclear if he faces expulsion, which would depend on the police investigation and any charges. The case has drawn attention from UK government ministers, who contacted university officials after the incident.
The protest was part of ongoing demonstrations related to the Israel-Gaza conflict, which escalated in October 2023. Such events have led to increased reports of anti-Semitism on UK campuses. Jewish student groups at Oxford have raised concerns about a hostile environment in recent months.
The university has condemned anti-Semitism and emphasised its commitment to student safety.
This arrest highlights tensions between free speech and hate speech laws in the UK. The Public Order Act prohibits statements that stir up racial hatred. Similar incidents at protests have resulted in other arrests.
Pro-Palestine activism persists across the country, but authorities monitor for illegal rhetoric. As of 15 October 2025, no further updates were available from police or the university. The investigation continues.