LSE Incident

This checkpoint was manned by LSE students pretending to be Israeli and holding fake guns. Those wishing to pass the checkpoint were asked to show ID. Some students, including Jews and Israelis, were singled out by the protestors and called "Israelis" or "students of privilege". Those at the checkpoint also dragged each other across the floor.

The events at LSE were deliberately provocative for students and led to numerous complaints to LSE security staff. A small group of student counter-protestors threw water balloons at the checkpoint and wall. The wall and some of those protesting were hit by the water balloons. A small group of protestors then ran at these counter-protestors, throwing a water balloon and repeatedly kicking one student. At this point, LSE Security intervened.

UJS has consistently opposed fake security checkpoints as being intimidating for Jewish students and obstructive to all students. Furthermore, these stunts reduce what is a serious and complex situation between Israelis and Palestinians into theatrical provocations that can only ever prove divisive here on British campuses.

UJS sincerely appeals to Jewish students at LSE and elsewhere not to be provoked into aggressive actions; and hopes that university authorities will play a responsible and fair part in preventing any such instances in the future.

NOTE: This statement was updated on 22nd February. (The original statement may be seen here)