This article was updated at 4pm on 20 May to include a statement from King’s College London.
Over a hundred students, pro-Palestine activists and relatives of detained flotilla participants gathered outside Downing Street on Tuesday, 19 May, to protest against Israel’s detention of KCLSU student officer Hasnain Jafer.
Jafer, who is KCLSU’s Vice President Education (Health), was detained by Israeli forces on 18 May on board the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) – a convoy of over 50 civilian vessels attempting to break the Israel-imposed blockade of Gaza.
The ‘emergency protest’, organised by SOAS Liberated Zone and UK Global Sumud, commended the detained members of the flotilla and condemned King’s College London as well as the lack of response from Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Speakers included Labour MP John McDonnell, KCLSU President-Elect Luqmaan Waqar and Hasnain Jafer’s father (Mr Jafer).
Jafer’s vessel, the Josef/Yusuf, was halted by an Israeli daytime raid at about 8.15am on 18 May. Videos released by activist groups state that Jafer was “kidnapped in international waters and taken by force” by Israel.
Speaking to the crowd, his father said that “I haven’t eaten, I don’t know what I’m doing here” regarding his son’s detention. Mr Jafer urged the prime minister and foreign secretary to assist his son’s return “immediately, without any harm”.
Speaking to Roar, Mr Jafer confirmed that – apart from a phone call with KCLSU’s CEO, Denis Shukur – there had been “no contact, no calls, no duty of care” or declarations of “worry or concern from anybody” regarding his son’s detention.
A spokesperson for KCLSU told Roar that Fatima Hire, Vice President (Welfare and Community), had since met with Mr Jafer and that she would act as the main point of contact for the Students’ Union. They also confirmed that Denis Shukur, CEO of KCLSU, had spoken to Mr Jafer’s father and shared his contact details with him. “Denis is happy to be contacted at any time,” the spokesperson said.
Mr Jafer called on King’s management and KCLSU to “at least give a statement” in support of his son, adding that he is “a bit confused and lost” about the public communications.
The protest comes amidst calls for King’s College London and the Student Union to take a stronger stance in support of the detained officer, as well as on the alleged genocide in Gaza.
A spokesperson for King’s College London told Roar that:
“Our thoughts are with Hasnain, his family and loved ones at this deeply worrying time. We are supporting King’s College London Students’ Union (KCLSU) in discussions with the British Consulate to understand more about the unfolding situation involving Hasnain and seven other British nationals, and to ensure Hasnain’s safety and wellbeing. Together with KCLSU, we will share updates with students when we are able to do so.”
A previous statement released by KCLSU stated that Hasnain Jafer had “elected to join the Global Sumud Flotilla in his personal capacity”, saying that they are “engaging with others with a view to ascertaining what we might do to facilitate his safe return” whilst expressing “concerns for his welfare and safety”.
The student union further noted that Jafer’s participation in the flotilla had “not been organised, authorised, or funded by KCLSU”, a statement that Roar understands has caused frustration within the student union.
KCLSU’s outgoing sabbatical officers released a statement hours later stating that they are “deeply concerned about the safety and welfare” of their colleague, calling his detention “unacceptable”.
The officers further reiterated their support for students to be free to engage in “lawful political expression, protest and humanitarian action”, noting that they are using “every available means to ensure his safe return”.
A video published on Instagram around midday on 20 May by Itamar Ben-Gvir, Israel’s Minister of National Security, appeared to show many of the detainees from the Global Sumud Flotilla with hands zip-tied, kneeling on the ground and being forcibly restrained by Israeli forces. The video was captioned in Hebrew – “ככה אנחנו מקבלים את תומכי הטרור” – which translates as “This is how we treat supporters of terrorism.”
Roar was unable to verify if Hasnain Jafer was among the detainees.
KCLSU’s President-Elect, Luqmaan Waqar described Jafer as “a voice for the voiceless”. In a statement authored the day before his detention, Jafer urged King’s students to “keep their eyes” on institutions – including King’s, KCLSU and the National Union of Students (NUS) – asking them to “watch what they say”.
Jafer’s statement said that these bodies face a choice between being “willing to stand up for our lives and safety” or turning “a blind eye to clear and foreseeable risk against their own students”.
John McDonnell MP, Labour MP for Hayes and Harlington, condemned the “disgrace” of universities’ investment in Israel. He argued that “students who pay their tuition fees shouldn’t expect to see that money used in the blood stained investments in Israel”.
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