A pro-Palestine student summit in London this weekend has sparked concern over alleged links between its organisers and terrorist organisations. Source: metro.co.uk.
The National Student Conference for Palestine is being hosted by the Palestinian Youth Movement (PYM), with support from student groups at King’s College London, the London School of Economics, City St George’s, the University of Manchester, and SOAS.
Alleged Ties to Terror Groups
The PYM has been linked to the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP). The PFLP is designated a terrorist group by the EU, US, and Canada, and is sanctioned in the UK.
In 2019, a French court cited a 2015 report by France’s DGSI that described PYM as ‘affiliated with the PFLP’. This was based on shared messaging and organisational overlap in past events.
A July 2024 report by the Israeli Ministry for Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism said PYM has ‘close ties to the PFLP and its affiliates’. It noted public endorsements from PFLP members at PYM events.
These links include a 2022 rally co-hosted by PYM and Samidoun. Samidoun is designated a terrorist entity by Canada and described by the US as a ‘sham charity’ used to fund the PFLP. At the rally, outside the Israeli Consulate in Manhattan, protesters called for the liberation of Palestine ‘by any means necessary’.
Historical Campaigns and Activities
PYM has led campaigns for the release of imprisoned PFLP militants, including Walid Daqqa and Khalida Jarrar. These campaigns are cited by critics as evidence of militant alignment.
In May 2024, PYM co-organised a pro-Palestine conference in Detroit. It featured video endorsements from PFLP founding member Salah Salah and member Wisam Rafeedie. These were shared publicly and seen as promoting PFLP ideology.
Earlier this year, PYM held a four-day ‘summer school’ in the Peak District. Young participants chanted: ‘We will have victory over Zionism’. The event had a strong ideological tone.
The group also published a ‘Siege on Labour’ toolkit. It includes tactics for targeting MPs and Labour Party offices. It advises on sit-ins, pickets, and rallies. Critics see this as promoting actions that could threaten democratic institutions.
Statements from Key Figures
Jeanine Hourani, a PYM representative, said: ‘This moment has reaffirmed the use of prisoner exchanges as a legitimate and effective tactic within national liberation and anti-colonial struggles.’ Critics argue this equates civilian attacks with political strategy.
Former Home Secretary Priti Patel said the conference ‘presents an opportunity to spread hatred and antisemitism’. She said it could ‘alarm the British public and members of the Jewish community’ and make Jewish students feel unsafe.
Labour MP Luke Akehurst said campuses have become ‘breeding grounds for extremism’. He urged the government to investigate links and prevent recruitment into extremist movements.
Jewish Groups and University Responses
The Jewish Leadership Council warned the conference ‘risks legitimising violence against Jews’. It said student groups should not align with PYM. It urged universities to act against affiliated groups attending.
The Campaign Against Antisemitism said universities must ‘pay close heed to how students may be flirting with extremism’ and take action to stop its spread.
UK Lawyers for Israel have documented links between PYM and organisations tied to terrorism, including the PFLP. They sent their report to universities with student groups attending. They said there are ‘serious grounds for concern’ that students will be exposed to extremist propaganda.
University Positions
The London School of Economics says it protects free speech. It states PYM is not a proscribed group. Promoting or attending the event is not illegal or a breach of policy.
King’s College London Students’ Union said it is not involved in organising, funding, or endorsing the conference. It clarified that KCL Stands for Justice is not a KCLSU group. Student groups operate independently.
The University of Manchester Students’ Union said its Board reviewed a report from UK Lawyers for Israel. It concluded much of the detail relates to activities outside the UK or by other groups. The union says it condemns terrorism and antisemitism. It stresses student safety. It notes PYM is not proscribed under UK law.
SOAS said it has received the UKLFI report and is reviewing it in line with legal and regulatory processes.
Government Stance
A government spokesperson said lawful political views are central to democracy. However, they said there is no place for extremist hatred or abuse. They urged universities to take their Prevent duties seriously and protect students from extremist activity.
Clarifications and Disputes
City St George’s University confirmed City Friends of Palestine is not attending and was not involved in organising the conference.
PYM describes itself as ‘completely independent’, with ‘no affiliation to any proscribed organisation’. It denies all links to terror groups, calling claims ‘based on innuendo and false assumptions’.
Student groups at KCL, LSE, SOAS, and the University of Manchester have shared posts about sending delegations. The University of Manchester clarified it is not sending a delegation. It said student groups manage their own activities and views independently.
There is no official confirmation the conference will take place or that any student groups will be formally invited. PYM is not listed on the UK Sanctions List or proscribed under the Terrorism Act 2000.
Still, concerns from Jewish groups and political figures highlight a broader debate about student activism and extremist messaging in public institutions. Universities say they protect free speech but also stress student safety and the need to prevent exposure to extremist ideologies.
Sources & further reading
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