A student and pro-Palestine activist at King’s College London (KCL) says he fears for his safety if deported to Egypt after his visa sponsorship was revoked. Usama Ghanem, 21, was indefinitely suspended from the university, initiating a process that could see the Home Office cancel his student visa and issue a removal notice.
Greta Thunberg and Jeremy Corbyn are among high-profile figures criticising KCL’s decision. Thunberg posted on Instagram that the decision followed pressure from Zionist lobby groups, to which KCL “shamefully surrendered”. Corbyn told Roar News that withdrawing sponsorship for Palestine activism was “deeply disturbing”.
Ghanem said he lived under an authoritarian regime in Egypt, where he and his family faced political persecution. He told The Independent that returning would endanger his life, adding that KCL should be aware of this from his personal statement. The second-year student has faced three disciplinary actions since June 2024 over his Palestine activism.
Leanne Mohamad, a British-Palestinian activist, said KCL is targeting a student for pro-Palestine activism, setting a dangerous precedent for international students. Ghanem said his activism is motivated by his father, a professor jailed in Egypt for similar reasons.
The disciplinary actions culminated after Ghanem protested an event titled “Israelis and Iranians in Dialogue” in February 2025. Footage of the disruption circulated online and was shared by senior Trump administration members. The Campaign Against Antisemitism wrote to KCL’s president calling for an investigation, alleging antisemitic chanting.
KCL said it cannot comment on individual cases subject to legal proceedings, as Ghanem launched a judicial review in October 2024. A university spokesperson stated that students are not disciplined for lawful protest, but safety is a priority and breaches of regulations are investigated.
