The London School of Economics Students’ Union (LSESU) has closed disciplinary proceedings against its Israel Society after receiving external legal advice confirming that the conduct in question was protected by freedom of speech laws.

The investigation concerned 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 over posters promoting a protest against BP inside the Students’ Union building.

An investigation report commissioned by LSESU had concluded that the Society’s activities “may have impacted campus relations, created hostility, and undermined the Union’s expectations of respectful engagement.” The report recommended that LSESU consider sanctions against the 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:

“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.”

The email confirmed that the matter was now closed.

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 UK Lawyers for Israel (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-defence, and that those who serve in its armed forces … are deserving of support.”

He also maintained that senior Students’ Union staff had previously confirmed that the wristbands fell within the Society’s rights to freedom of expression.

The investigation report itself acknowledged that its purpose was not to adjudicate on the Israel-Palestine conflict, but to assess compliance with Students’ Union policies and the Union’s charitable obligations. Nevertheless, it repeatedly argued that support for the IDF could reasonably be perceived by some students as “distressing, frightening or provocative.”

Weinstein also alleged discriminatory treatment of Jewish and pro-Israel students, claiming that complaints concerning anti-Israel activism on campus had not been pursued while disciplinary proceedings were brought against the Israel Society.

The Students’ Union has indicated that it will now review and revise its student group policies and procedures, including introducing new guidance and mandatory training for societies concerning freedom of speech and appropriate conduct.

UKLFI has been made aware of a number of attempts by universities and students’ unions to suppress lawful pro-Israel expression, where Jewish and Zionist student societies appear to face different standards from those applied to other societies.

A UKLFI spokesperson commented: “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.”