Haya Adam Expelled from SOAS

Manal Husain, BA Politics and International Relations

Haya Adam, a Law and International Relations student, joined SOAS University in September 2023. She is the President of the Palestine Society and prominent member of the Liberated Zone (LZ). On the 6th of August, SOAS expelled Haya Adam for supposedly breaking the University’s Code of Conduct, concerning ‘harassment’, ‘abusive behaviour’ and ‘operational obstruction’ towards incumbent Co-President of Activities and Campaigns, Safia Shaikh. This allegation originated from a video posted on the LZ’s instagram, where Shaikh was criticised for exacerbating ‘institutional repression’.

Although, Safia publicly stated in a union hustings in February 2025 that she herself did not deem the video to be harassment. 

Haya has been one of the most active protesters, opposing SOAS’ alleged complicity in Israel's genocide in Gaza, including calls for divestment and the cutting of ties with Israeli Universities. Her commitment to the Pro-Palestine cause is reflected in her ongoing participation in the encampment, which has now been present for over 17 months. 

Haya disputes such allegations, suggesting they are politically motivated attempts to silence student activism. The LZ released Haya’s response to her expulsion, captioning that SOAS has taken the ‘most extreme step to silence student activism’. In the video attached, Haya states that SOAS has ‘expelled a student - for standing up against a live-streamed genocide’, under the guise of harassment. She also implied that SOAS’ reputation as a decolonial institution is ‘deeply flawed’ and ‘a tool for empire and imperialism’. The LZ and SOAS Palestine Society have also raised a petition to revoke the expulsion. 

Haya later appealed the decision, but SOAS University rejected that request. 

Haya has received multiple disciplinaries over allegations of ‘unannounced protest’ and ‘harassment’ throughout her time at SOAS. In July 2024, Haya was suspended for alleged ‘harassment’ against Vice-Chancellor, Adam Habib, whereas the LZ claims that they were just holding Habib to account for his alleged complicity in genocide. On the 29th October 2024, the University of London (UoL) imposed an injunction on Haya, stating that she had to request permission from a UoL officer before organising demonstrations. Additionally, it prevents further encampments from being set up on UoL land. The current encampment now resides on the pavements outside the university grounds.

Her expulsion in August has provoked outrage from the Pro-Palestine bloc, with many questioning the legitimacy of the University's decision. SOAS alumni, Dr Asim Qureshi, a research director at CAGE International, burnt his degree certificate in protest, claiming he would ‘rather not have a degree’ than be ‘associated with SOAS’. The British Society for Middle Eastern Studies (BRISMES) Committee on Academic Freedom has expressed ‘deep concern’ over SOAS’ decision, and has called on the institution to ‘Reinstate Haya Adam immediately’. Dr Grietje Baars, a Reader in Law and Social Change, and an associate member of the Centre for Palestine Studies at SOAS, believes the expulsion decision is a ‘grave mistake on the part of the university’, says Middle East Eye (MEE).

SOAS University issued a statement amid backlash to Haya’s expulsion and disciplinary action, denying that the decision was based on her Pro-Palestine stance and activism. They stated that: 

‘We do not suspend students for engaging in peaceful protest, holding pro-Palestinian views or opposing genocide. We take any allegations that breach our code of conduct very seriously and our procedures and policies are there to ensure we respond to issues reported. Any disciplinary action will usually follow where serious misconduct is concerned, such as vandalism, exam disruption, or threats to staff, and where this has occurred, we have acted to protect the safety and integrity of our university.’ 

According to the MEE, Haya stated that ‘SOAS have used me as an example to intimidate the rest of the student body’. The Spirit conducted a poll asking students whether they felt more afraid to participate in student activism, post Haya’s expulsion, 74% of students responded with ‘yes’. An additional statement was requested, regarding the increasing climate of fear surrounding student activism on campus.

A SOAS spokesperson responded:

‘Numerous events, vigils, and protests have taken place at SOAS over the last 2 years and have shown that freedom of expression on our campus thrives. We have defended our academics’ and students’ rights to host and attend high-profile events, even in the face of legal or political challenges.’

As SOAS University has rejected Haya’s expulsion appeal, she will be unable to complete her degree and return to university classes. She still remains a prominent figure within the encampment and shows no signs of slowing down when fighting for the Palestinian cause. 

However, the role of student activism remains in a tenuous position as there seems to be a disconnect between what students and the university feel about the matter.