A University of Oxford student filmed allegedly chanting for Gaza to “put the Zios in the ground” at a pro-Palestinian march has been arrested.<\/p>\n
Officers investigating chants at a Palestine Coalition demonstration in central London on Saturday arrested a 20-year-old-man on suspicion of inciting racial hatred, the Metropolitan Police said. <\/p>\n
Videos appeared to show a man, who has been widely named as Samuel Williams, telling demonstrators that the chant had been “workshopped” in Oxford.<\/p>\n
The University of Oxford said a student had been arrested in the early hours of Wednesday, but said it had not been told why. <\/p>\n
It is understood the student has been suspended by the university. <\/p>\n
The man was arrested at an address in Oxford, police said, and remains in custody. The force did not name the man. <\/p>\n
In videos he appears to tell 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.<\/p>\n
“It goes ‘Gaza, Gaza make us proud, put the Zios in the ground’.”<\/p>\n
A university spokesperson said: “An Oxford University student was arrested in the early hours of Wednesday, 15 October.<\/p>\n
“The precise basis for the arrest has not yet been disclosed to the university.<\/p>\n
“While the university cannot comment on individual student cases, it has the power to take immediate and proportionate action including, as appropriate, suspending a student from membership of the University, whenever serious concerns are raised.<\/p>\n
“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.”<\/p>\n