Samuel Williams. (X Screenshot)
According to the Metropolitan Police, officers arrested the student Wednesday at an address in Oxfordshire on suspicion of inciting racial hatred.
A 20-year-old University of Oxford student has been arrested after footage emerged of him leading a crowd in a chant calling for Gaza to “put the Zios in the ground” during a pro-Palestine march in central London.
The video, recorded on Saturday during a “Palestine Coalition” demonstration, shows the student addressing protesters before introducing a chant that he said had been workshopped in Oxford.
“A steadfast and noble resistance in Palestine and in Gaza to look to, to be inspired by,” he said. “It goes ‘Gaza, Gaza make us proud, put the Zios in the ground.’ ”
According to the Metropolitan Police, officers arrested the student Wednesday at an address in Oxfordshire on suspicion of inciting racial hatred.
His remarks sparked widespread condemnation online, with many Jewish organizations accusing him of promoting antisemitic violence.
Although authorities have not released the suspect’s name, he has been widely identified in UK media reports as Samuel Williams.
An Oxford University spokesperson confirmed to Sky News that the individual was a current student and had been suspended pending the outcome of the investigation.
“While the University cannot comment on individual student cases, it has the power to take immediate and proportionate action, including suspending a student whenever serious concerns are raised,” the spokesperson said.
“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.”
The arrest comes amid heightened tensions on British campuses following a series of antisemitic incidents linked to pro-Hamas demonstrations.
Senior ministers have urged universities to take a “zero-tolerance” approach to hate speech after the Hamas-Israel ceasefire earlier this month.
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