The London School of Economics Students’ Union (LSESU) has closed disciplinary proceedings against the university's Israel Society after receiving external legal advice confirming that the conduct in question was protected by freedom of speech laws. This was revealed by UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI) on Monday.
An investigation was launched into the Israel Society after people registered complaints about the distribution of “I Support the IDF” wristbands at the LSESU Freshers’ Fair and the placement of “Thank you to the IDF” stickers.
An investigation report commissioned by LSESU found that the Society’s activities “may have impacted campus relations, created hostility, and undermined the Union’s expectations of respectful engagement" and recommended that LSESU sanction the Society.
The investigation report repeatedly argued that support for the IDF could reasonably be perceived by some students as “distressing, frightening or provocative.”
No disciplinary action to be taken against Israel Society
However, in an email sent to Israel Society committee members on 12 May 2026, LSESU confirmed that no disciplinary action would be taken.
The Union stated, according to UKLFI, that "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 behaviors 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.”
Israel Society president challenges Student Union disciplinary proceedings
Ben Weinstein, President of the Israel Society, had strongly challenged the legality of the proceedings in a detailed witness statement submitted in response to the investigation report, with assistance from UKLFI.
Weinstein argued that the Students’ Union was under a statutory duty to protect lawful political speech under the Higher Education and Research Act 2017, as amended by the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023.
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-defense, and that those who serve in its armed forces… are deserving of support.”
"LSESU was right to recognize that lawful support for Israel and the IDF is protected political speech," said a spokesperson for UKLFI. "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.”
The Jerusalem Post reached out to LSE Israel Society and LSESU for comment.