UK Universities Warn Students Ahead of 7 October Pro-Palestine Protests

Published: 07 October 2025. The English Chronicle Desk.

As the second anniversary of the 7 October Hamas attacks approaches, university leaders across the United Kingdom have issued urgent reminders to students planning to participate in pro-Palestinian demonstrations, emphasizing the legal risks involved. Authorities have stressed that publicly expressing support for a proscribed terrorist organisation constitutes a criminal offence, and students taking part in rallies, vigils, or debates could face serious legal consequences if lines are crossed.

Up to ten events are expected to take place on or near campuses on Tuesday, ranging from vigils and rallies to discussions and marches. One of the more prominent gatherings is an “inter-university” march in London, which will involve students and staff from multiple institutions, including King’s College London, the London School of Economics, University College London, and SOAS. The march, advertised on Instagram under the banner “Inter-university march. Two years of genocide and our institutions remain complicit,” plans a walkout of classes at 2 pm and will culminate at SOAS.

The date marks the anniversary of the Hamas attack on Israel in 2023, which left 1,200 people dead, many more injured or abducted, and sparked the ongoing Israeli military response in Gaza. That response has, over two years, resulted in the deaths of more than 65,000 people, according to international monitors. Universities UK (UUK), the representative body for vice-chancellors and the higher education sector, has described the anniversary as a “potential flashpoint” and urged universities to review security arrangements to prevent escalation.

Vivienne Stern, UUK’s chief executive, highlighted the need for caution: “While universities must be places where contentious views can be expressed, and while universities have a legal duty to uphold free speech, we urge students and staff participating in protests to remember that 7 October is the anniversary of an atrocious attack on innocent people, and that expressing support for a terrorist organisation is a criminal offence.”

Alongside the London march, other events have been planned at universities, including Sheffield and Strathclyde. At Sheffield, the Revolutionary Communist Party is organising a “Rally for Palestine,” while Strathclyde’s Palestine Solidarity Society is hosting a “Protest 4 Palestine.” At King’s College London, Students for Justice for Palestine are holding an evening discussion titled “Why it didn’t start on October 7th.” Stern noted that these activities coincide with a period of heightened concern over antisemitic incidents on campuses. She urged university administrations to maintain close communication with Jewish student groups and to make reporting mechanisms for antisemitism widely available.

Louis Danker, president of the Union of Jewish Students, reinforced these warnings, acknowledging the right to protest but stressing the sensitivity of the date. “We respect the right to protest and the importance of free speech within the law,” Danker said. “There are 365 days in the year and on one of them – 7 October – Jewish students seek the space to mourn their loved ones murdered in southern Israel. Marking ‘two years of resistance’ on this date echoes the explicit justification and glorification of the Hamas terrorist attacks witnessed over the last two years. No Jewish student should have to stand by as others glorify a day that marks such loss for our community.”

In recent days, the UK government has also weighed in. Speaking in the Times, Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned plans for the protests, calling them “un-British” and emphasising the moral obligation to respect others’ suffering. “Let me just spell that out for a moment: people on our streets calling for the murder of Jewish people they have never even met, for something they are not responsible for. A total loss of empathy and humanity not in some faraway land but right here in the heart of our country,” he stated. “And today, on the anniversary of the atrocities of 7 October, students are once again planning protests. This is not who we are as a country. It’s un-British to have so little respect for others. And that’s before some of them decide to start chanting hatred towards Jewish people all over again.”

The cautionary statements follow a surge in arrests during earlier demonstrations. On Saturday, nearly 500 people were detained in London during protests against the ban on the proscribed organisation Palestine Action, highlighting the potential for significant law enforcement intervention during politically charged events. Universities, in collaboration with police, are now focusing on ensuring that any demonstrations remain lawful and peaceful, while protecting the safety of all students and staff on campus.

With campuses preparing for a day of high tension, university administrators and student organisations face the challenge of balancing free speech with the responsibility to prevent the glorification of violence. Both UUK and Jewish student representatives have emphasised the importance of measured, lawful participation, urging students to be mindful of the legal and ethical boundaries involved. Authorities warn that while freedom of expression remains a fundamental principle, it does not extend to the endorsement of terrorist acts or organisations, a reminder that carries particular weight given the sensitivities surrounding 7 October.

As the anniversary approaches, attention is focused on how universities, law enforcement, and student bodies will navigate the complex intersection of protest rights, security, and community sensitivities. The coming events will serve as a test of both legal boundaries and the capacity of institutions to safeguard students while upholding the values of free and responsible expression.