Sir Keir Starmer today criticised the University of Oxford for being too ‘slow’ to deal with a student who was filmed chanting ‘put the Zios in the ground’ at a pro-Palestine protest, as the 20-year-old was arrested and suspended following revelations in the Daily Mail.
The Metropolitan Police took Samuel Williams into custody yesterday after he was identified as the philosophy, politics and economics student at Balliol College who led the offensive anti-Israeli chants at Saturday’s Palestine Coalition demonstration in central London.
Speaking at a meeting with the Community Security Trust today, the Prime Minister said Oxford’s response represented “a slow reaction to the clearest of clear cases” and announced a wider review of antisemitism in the NHS to be conducted by Lord John Mann.
‘Universities Should Not Be Places of Fear’
The Prime Minister told the Community Security Trust that universities “should not be a place where Jewish students fear even to go, in some cases not wanting to go to university to have the education that they’re entitled to, or if they do go are concerned about their identity, how they’re going to be dealt with and reacted to”.
He said: “We have to stand up to that. And some universities have been too slow. Look at Oxford this week. That was a slow reaction to the clearest of clear cases.”
I won’t say any more than that, because obviously there are proceedings in place now,” Sir Keir added, referencing the ongoing police investigation.
NHS Antisemitism Review Announced
Sir Keir also used the meeting to reveal that the Government’s independent antisemitism adviser Lord John Mann was going to conduct a review of the NHS, following concerns about inadequate responses to clear cases of antisemitism within the health service.
He said: “Lord Mann is going to do a review of the NHS for us. Because you will know, and I know, there are just too many examples, clear examples, of antisemitism that have not been dealt with adequately or effectively.”
“So we need to do that review. We’ve already put in place management training in relation to the NHS, but I think we need a wider review, because in some cases, clear cases are simply not being dealt with, and so we need to get to the root of that.”
A July review by Lord Mann and Dame Penny Mordaunt had previously warned of a “specific unaddressed issue” within the NHS regarding antisemitism.
The Arrest and Investigation
Mr Williams was arrested as part of an investigation launched by the Metropolitan Police following Saturday’s demonstration, which took place the day after a ceasefire came into effect in Gaza.
A spokesman said: “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.
The Controversial Chant
Speaking through a microphone at the march, Mr Williams told the crowd: “A steadfast and noble resistance in Palestine and in Gaza to look to, to be inspired by and – I don’t want to yap for too long – but a chant that we’ve been workshopping in Oxford that maybe you guys want to join in.”
“It goes ‘Gaza, Gaza make us proud, put the Zios in the ground’.”
‘Zio’ is a slur made by shortening the word ‘Zionist’ and is often directed towards Jewish people. Some have interpreted the words as calling for death to Jews, sparking widespread condemnation.
Government Response
It is understood Ministers have also made contact with Oxford University following the incident and have reiterated calls for zero tolerance of antisemitism on campus.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said last week that there had been an “unacceptable increase in antisemitism” at universities and added that many Jewish students did not feel safe on campus.
She called on universities to strengthen protections for Jewish students and said the Government was funding training to help staff and students “tackle this poison of antisemitism”.
Oxford University’s Response
A spokesman for Oxford University said: “The University of Oxford condemns, in the strongest possible terms, any language urging violence against groups of people or expressing any form of racial hatred.”
“The university’s support for freedom of speech does not extend to any statements, including such language.”
“When such language is reported, we will always want to speak to the student concerned and consider the matter under our disciplinary procedures in line with university and college policies.”
“Oxford is unequivocal – there is no place for antisemitism, harassment, or discrimination within our community. We remain firmly committed to protecting the safety and dignity of all our students and staff.”
Swift Action Welcomed
A spokesman for the Union of Jewish Students said: “The Union of Jewish Students welcomes the news that decisive action has been taken against a University of Oxford student who called to ‘put the Zios in the ground. Jewish students should never have to stand by as their peers glorify terrorism or incite hatred.”
“Universities around the country should take note of this swift action. Institutions must end the culture of impunity that has allowed antisemitism to go unchecked on campus and take a firm, consistent stand against the glorification of terror.”
Student’s Background
The Mail found that Mr Williams, whose family home is in a middle-class area in Tunbridge Wells, is a veteran pro-Palestine protester who attended Bennett Memorial Diocesan school before winning a coveted place at Oxford.
Pictures from Mr Williams’s Instagram account show him regularly sporting a red and white keffiyeh scarf, a type of Arabic accessory which has recently become associated with the pro-Palestine movement.
Since joining the university, he has dedicated his life not to his studies but to student activism and Palestine, according to the investigation.
Campus Activism
Several pictures taken from his Instagram account show Mr Williams participating in the highly controversial Oxford University student encampments, where dozens of students occupied and camped outside the Oxford Natural History Museum to protest against their university’s alleged complicity in Israel’s war against Hamas.
Another social media post captioned ‘f*** your exams 2024, anti-colonial action’ includes a picture of Mr Williams and a female friend participating in a pro-Palestine protest.
Other online footage from the rally showed Mr Williams near the front of a group of protesters who were holding signs bearing messages including ‘Oxford University pick a side, justice or genocide’.
Wider Context
The arrest comes amid rising concerns about antisemitism at universities and across British society. Home Office figures released last week suggest antisemitic hate crime remains near record levels.
The Prime Minister’s criticism of Oxford and announcement of the NHS review signal a wider government crackdown on antisemitism following recent incidents, including a terrorist attack at Heaton Park synagogue in Manchester on 2 October that left two men dead.
Sir Keir said during his CST visit: “The figures are all going in the wrong direction. And it’s not just the figures, it’s the feeling of insecurity and the fear that it instils in our community.”
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