Pro-Palestine student suspended by King’s College London returns to campus
King’s College London has ended the suspension of 22-year-old Egyptian student Usama Ghanem, allowing him to resume and finish the final year of his international studies degree after disciplinary action tied to his pro-Palestine activism. The university says it reinstated him after he met conditions of the suspension, while critics and student groups have framed the decision as a win against what they describe as a wider crackdown on Palestine solidarity on UK campuses.
Why It Matters
The case highlights tensions between university disciplinary procedures, student protest rights and immigration consequences — including visa revocation — amid broader scrutiny of how UK institutions handled Palestine solidarity activity since the Gaza war began. It also raises questions about the use of private monitoring firms by universities to track campus protests.
Key Facts
- Student: Usama Ghanem, 22, Egyptian, international studies student at King’s College London
- Suspension lifted: KCL lifted Ghanem’s suspension late last month, allowing him to return and complete his third and final year
- Allegations (May 2025): KCL accused Ghanem of non-academic misconduct including 'acting in an intimidating and hostile manner', disrupting an event, procedural breaches and causing a health and safety concern
- Requirement during suspension: A May 2025 letter from the university said Ghanem would need to return to his home country during the suspension
- Visa outcome: Ghanem’s visa was revoked as a result of the disciplinary action
King’s College London has reinstated a student who was suspended last year over involvement in pro-Palestine activism. The university removed the suspension on Usama Ghanem, a 22-year-old Egyptian studying international studies, and has allowed him to return to finish his final year after he met conditions attached to the disciplinary measure.
A May 2025 disciplinary letter seen by Al Jazeera set out allegations against Ghanem including intimidating or hostile behaviour, disruption of an event, procedural breaches and actions that posed health and safety concerns. That correspondence also stated he would be required to return to his home country while suspended; the university’s disciplinary action led to the revocation of his student visa. Ghanem has said he risked persecution if forced back to Egypt because he was previously detained over his activism.
Ghanem challenged the university’s action through legal channels and accepted delays to his studies to pursue the case. Supporters across the university and beyond—including hundreds of students, several academics and campaign groups such as Cage and the Association of Student Activism for Palestine (ASAP)—mounted public backing and framed his reinstatement as a broader victory for protest rights on campus.
Al Jazeera reporting has also identified at least 26 KCL students who faced disciplinary investigations for pro-Palestine protest activity between October 2023 and November 2025. The European Legal Support Center has documented what it described as widespread repression of students, academics and teachers showing solidarity with Palestine, and universities have come under criticism in the UK for their handling of such protests.
The university has defended its actions, saying it upheld the original reasons for Ghanem’s suspension but judged that re-enrolment was now appropriate after he met suspension conditions. KCL said it applies a fair approach to misconduct proceedings and has a duty to act where behaviour breaches safeguarding and security rules. The university also denied it disciplines students for their activism and noted that decisions on visa sponsorship are made by UK Visas & Immigration, while it is legally required to notify that agency of changes in student status.
Questions about surveillance tactics have also surrounded the case. Al Jazeera reported evidence that KCL used Horus, a private firm run by former military intelligence personnel, to monitor protest activity; the firm appeared to have informed the university about planned demonstrations relating to Ghanem. KCL said it uses Horus only for horizon-scanning of publicly available information about events on or near campuses and denied targeted monitoring of the student.
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