According to the investigation, King’s recorded the highest number of disciplinary cases related to pro-Palestine protests among British universities.
Freedom of Information (FOI) requests submitted to 156 higher education institutions found that 42 universities launched investigations into as many as 236 students and staff over pro-Gaza activism during the same period.
One of the students, identified as Khadija, was investigated after posting messages in a pro-Gaza WhatsApp group regarding a lecturer who had previously served in the Israeli military.
Although no planned protest took place, she was temporarily barred from attending the lecturer’s classes, instructed to write a 2,000-word reflective essay, and considered for referral to the UK government s Prevent counterterrorism programme. No referral was ultimately made.
The report states that several other students were investigated for participating in a pro-Palestine encampment on campus, demonstrations at university events, social media activity, displaying protest banners, and other forms of activism. Some students received formal warnings, while others faced temporary suspensions or additional disciplinary measures.
Students and representatives of the King’s College London Students’ Union accused the university of using disciplinary procedures to discourage peaceful protest, claiming the investigations created a climate of fear and discouraged political activism on campus.
In response, King’s College London rejected the allegations, stating that it does not discipline students for lawfully expressing pro-Palestine views or participating in peaceful protests.
The university said disciplinary action is only taken when complaints involve behaviour that threatens the safety, wellbeing, or freedom of expression of others or breaches university regulations.
The investigation also highlighted criticism of the university’s financial and research ties with defence companies and institutions linked to the defence industry, which have become a focal point of student-led divestment campaigns in recent years.
The findings have reignited debate across the United Kingdom over freedom of expression, student activism, university disciplinary policies, and the balance between campus safety and the right to protest.
