British university's pro-Palestine activists ask if students will 'go for jihad'

James Saunders
Tue, 14 Apr 2026 20:00:02 +0000

Pro-Palestine activists at a British university have been caught asking students whether they would "go for jihad".

Shortly after the start of the war in Iran, members of Royal Holloway's "Friends of Palestine" society group chat were seen posting controversial messages which appeared to support Tehran's regime.

In the group, one member branded Israel a "rabid dog that needs to be put down".

Another suggested "the Jews" were "spreading panic" by claiming the Ayatollah was dead - shortly after Donald Trump confirmed he had in fact been killed.

One said the Supreme Leader was "most likely fine" - but Benjamin Netanyahu "needs us to believe he's dead".

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One exchange in particular has raised eyebrows following warnings of extremism on UK campuses.

"Hypothetical question, if it comes to it and Iran goes down, Israel won't have anyone to deter it from establishing greater Israel. They will probably kill tens of millions while expanding," a member said.

"Would you guys go for jihad? Or are you staying safe in your bed," they added.

A fellow member replied, "Imma say don't answer that here," before another responded: "Makes sense."

The reference to jihad was later edited out and replaced by the message "would you guys go to eat dolma," a type of Middle Eastern food.

Now, a Jewish student at Royal Holloway has told GB News of his fears of threats and intimidation.

Evaldas Barstys, who studies history, said: "I don't believe you need to be Jewish to feel uneasy or unsafe after reading messages like these."

He pointed out how the IRGC, deeply embedded in the Iranian regime, is a proscribed terror group around the world - though not in the UK - and poses a "serious threat" to Jews, Israelis, British citizens and Western interests as a whole.

"When students openly express sympathy for such a regime in a university setting, it creates an environment where people can reasonably feel intimidated or at risk, regardless of their background," he said.

Referring to the "Imma say don't answer that here" message, he added: "I found the word 'here' particularly interesting - it seemed to imply that the issue wasn't the content itself, but rather that it shouldn't be discussed in that specific group chat, possibly because it's visible to all society members."

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"Free speech is a fundamental right, and I strongly support it - even for views I deeply disagree with," he added, but "expressing sympathy or support for a foreign regime like Iran’s goes beyond protected speech when it crosses into potential glorification or endorsement of terrorism".

He later criticised a "two-tier reality" on the Royal Holloway campus, pointing to the case of Brodie Mitchell, a student who could face hate crime charges after joking that a pro-Gaza activist's headscarf looked like a tea towel.

Mr Mitchell has been told that police have sent a file to the CPS seeking advice over possible charges for a hate crime.

Mr Barstys decried how when a Jewish student questions the "go for jihad" message, it's "crickets" - but a "light-hearted response to antisemitism" results in immediate suspension and potential charges.

"Universities scream about 'safe spaces' while student societies openly push antisemitic tropes and historical blood libels," he added.

A spokesman for the university's Friends of Palestine group said the chat "regularly discusses complex topics, with controversial questions also being discussed due to our belief in the British values of free speech".

He added: "This hypothetical was immediately debated by other members of our group chat, as have hundreds of differing opinions that have been challenged in academic ways.

"Hate speech has never and never will be accepted in our society."

A spokesperson for Royal Holloway, University of London, said: “We are aware of the claims being made and they will be investigated through the appropriate channels. We are not in a position to comment further at this time.”

A Department for Education spokesperson said: “Extremism and intimidation have no place in our universities – we are committed to protecting free speech, but that does not mean the freedom to incite hatred.

“We've strengthened measures against extremism in universities to protect students and staff, including reinforcing how the Office for Students monitors universities' Prevent duties - the legal requirement to take action to prevent radicalisation.”