In a shocking turn of events, Haya Adam, a law student and outspoken leader of the SOAS Palestine Society, has been dramatically expelled from London’s SOAS University after a clash over her pro-Palestine activism on campus.
After a year-long suspension and multiple disciplinary actions related to her activism, the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) has formally expelled Adam two years into her law degree.
The expulsion is believed to be an unprecedented step and the first of its kind by a UK university.
In a video released on social media, Ms Adam filmed herself reacting to the news.
“I was expelled for a video which was pure political commentary. A video that was made regarding the sabbatical officer in the students union currently, who failed time and again to uphold her political manifesto. She has stood against students who have received disciplinary action and was a witness in a sham disciplinary investigation which targeted me.
“SOAS believe that they are above the law and that if we criticise them we warrant disciplinary action, when we are exercising our most fundamental rights to freedom of speech and assembly.”
Adam has been highly vocal since the start of Israel’s genocide in Gaza, leading the SOAS Palestine Society, and playing a leading role in organising the SOAS student tent encampment and other campus protest actions.
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In response to this, a SOAS spokesperson has reportedly said: “While we do not comment on individual disciplinary cases to respect student privacy, the past 19 months have seen hundreds of peaceful events, vigils, and protests take place on our campus that reflect a vibrant culture of free expression at SOAS.
“In a small number of cases involving serious misconduct – such as vandalism, exam disruption, and threats to staff – we have taken appropriate action to uphold the safety and integrity of our university. We remain devastated by the loss of life in Israel on 7 October and the ongoing destruction of Gaza, and we continue to call for an immediate ceasefire, as we first did in 2023.”
Haya Adam first faced disciplinary action for a pro-Palestine protest held by students on the university steps on 4 June 2024. She was then suspended for allegedly “harassing” the student union CEO in a restaurant on 20 July, although Adam claims she wasn’t involved in the incident.
Adam was also suspended for confronting the university’s vice chancellor Adam Habib over his stance on Gaza on the same day.
But it was her open suspension which led to the expulsion over a social media video criticising a sabbatical officer in the student union. SOAS accused Ms Adam of harassment a claim which she still denies.
Backlash to the expulsion
Adam’s case is seen by pro-Palestine campaigners as part of a wider crackdown on Palestine solidarity across British universities, where students are increasingly facing surveillance, suspensions, police referrals and threats of expulsion.
In solidarity, prominent Muslim author and Research Director at CAGE International, Dr Asim Qureshi, released a video on Instagram which shows him burning his own SOAS masters certificate.
In the post Qureshi explained his deep scenes of outrage at SOAS’s handling of Adam’s case.
“They have chosen to unfairly punish her, so I don’t want to be associated with a university that markets decoloniality while punishing those who practice it.
“My relationship to SOAS is inextricably linked to Palestine, and so I can’t stand to have that memory tainted by the administration of Adam Habib punishing pro-Palestine students for wanting divestment and an end to apartheid and genocide.
“I don’t expect any fellow alumni to follow suit, but I wonder what the value is left of our relationship to such institutions that are so heavily complicit in violence. I’d rather not have a degree as I’d rather not be associated with SOAS.”
Calls have also been made online for renewed student protests at SOAS to condemn the expulsion and pressure university leaders to reverse the decision.
Speaking to Middle East Eye, Haya Adam’s said she plans to challenge the decision, saying: “SOAS is trying to use me as an example in order to silence and intimidate the rest of the student body, and they’re doing this to students who are speaking up against genocide.”
