LSE student union drops case against Israel Society over pro-IDF merchandise
Student leaders received legal advice confirming support for the IDF was protected under free speech laws
The student union at London School of Economics Students’ Union has dropped disciplinary proceedings against the university’s Israel Society after legal advice concluded the group’s actions were protected by freedom of speech legislation.
The investigation centred on complaints made during the union’s Freshers’ Fair over the distribution of “I Support the IDF” wristbands and “Thank you to the IDF” stickers by the society.
According to UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI), an internal investigation commissioned by the union claimed the materials could have negatively affected campus relations and been viewed by some students as “distressing, frightening or provocative”. The report reportedly recommended sanctions against the society.
But in a message sent to Israel Society committee members on 12 May, the students’ union confirmed that no disciplinary action would be taken following external legal advice.
In the email cited by UKLFI, the union said: “Following a thorough investigation, including consideration of relevant evidence and advice from external legal counsel, it is our view that elements of the Society’s conduct and behaviours appear to have crossed the line from robust and lawful debate into conduct that may have been inappropriate or had the potential to limit open and respectful discussion.
“However, based on the legal advice received, these matters did not meet the threshold for disciplinary action. This is due to the protections afforded to freedom of speech within the law, which the Students’ Union is required to uphold.”
Ben Weinstein, president of the Israel Society, challenged the disciplinary process in a witness statement prepared with support from UKLFI. He argued that the union had a legal duty to protect lawful political expression under higher education free speech legislation.
In his statement, Weinstein said: “Both the wristbands and the stickers expressed the same political opinion: that Israel, as a sovereign state, has the right to self-defence, and that those who serve in its armed forces… are deserving of support.”
A spokesperson for UKLFI welcomed the decision, saying: “LSESU was right to recognise that lawful support for Israel and the IDF is protected political speech.
“Universities and students’ unions must not apply double standards that leave Jewish and Zionist students facing investigation for expressing views that would be tolerated from other student societies.”
Jewish News has contacted the LSESU for comment.