UK
Oxford student arrested after leading ‘Zios in the ground’ chant
University suspends student for his part in chant, which he said had been ‘workshopped’ in Oxford
October 16, 2025 12:14
University suspends student for his part in chant, which he said had been ‘workshopped’ in Oxford
October 16, 2025 12:14An Oxford student who led chants for Gaza to “put the Zios in the ground” has been arrested on suspicion of inciting racial hatred and suspended from the prestigious university.
The Metropolitan Police said it had arrested a 20-year-old man on Wednesday on suspicion of inciting racial hatred as part of an investigation into a demonstration in central London last Saturday.
On Wednesday, a student at Balliol College was reportedly suspended by the university over the chant: “Gaza, Gaza make us proud, put the Zios in the ground.”
The student was identified as the man who led several others in the chant about “Zios” (a negative abbreviation of Zionist). He was filmed telling the crowd that the rhyme had been "workshopped" in Oxford.
The Met has not confirmed whether it is the same man arrested by the force, but the Telegraph has reported that this is the case.
It is unclear whether the studentw will be expelled from Oxford if the police investigation finds that he committed a criminal offence.
In a statement on Wednesday, the Met said: “Officers investigating chants filmed at a Palestine Coalition demonstration in central London on Saturday, October 11, have made an arrest.
“A 20-year-old man was arrested at an address in Oxfordshire on Wednesday, October 15, on suspicion of inciting racial hatred. He remains in police custody.”
A spokesperson for the University of Oxford said: “An Oxford University student was arrested in the early hours of Wednesday, October 15. The precise basis for the arrest has not yet been disclosed to the University.
“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.
“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.”
Union of Jewish Students welcomed the news “that decisive action has been taken against a University of Oxford student who called to ‘put the Zios in the ground’”.
“Universities around the country should take note of this swift action. Institutions must end the culture of impunity that has allowed antisemitism to go unchecked on campus and take a firm, consistent stand against the glorification of terror.”
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