King's College London To Re‑Enrol Egyptian Student Suspended Over Pro‑Palestine Protests

King's College London has informed 22‑year‑old Egyptian student Usama Ghanem that he may return to the university for the 2026/27 academic year after nearly 18 months of suspension that at one point put his UK immigration status at risk.

Ghanem, who was indefinitely suspended following his participation in student‑led pro‑Palestine demonstrations, received an email in late August saying the conditions attached to his suspension have been met and that there is no longer a reason for exclusion. The university separately confirmed on September 1 that it would begin the administrative process to seek reinstatement of his visa sponsorship.

"The conditions set have been met and there is no reason for your suspension or exclusion to remain in place. Accordingly, you will be invited to re‑enrol for the 2026/27 academic year and will be permitted access to King's College London."

King's College London said a review of Ghanem's suspension was always scheduled to take place one year after it began, noting this is standard procedure for non‑academic misconduct cases. A disciplinary panel upheld findings of non‑academic misconduct relating to incidents dated to 2024 and 2025 but determined that the specific conditions for exclusion had been satisfied and re‑enrolment was now appropriate.

In statements to the press, KCL emphasised that it aims to apply a fair process in misconduct proceedings and will act where behaviour breaches safeguarding, security rules or places others at risk. The university also reiterated that decisions about visa sponsorship are made by UK Visas & Immigration, not the institution itself.

Pro-Palestinian students protest outside King's College London on October 7. - Justin Tallis/AFP/Getty Images

Ghanem has consistently denied the misconduct allegations. He told reporters he "unequivocally" rejects the claims and said the reinstatement sets "a huge precedent." He also said he will continue to advocate for Palestinian rights and push for divestment from arms suppliers and other entities he and his supporters hold responsible for the suffering in Gaza.

The case attracted wider attention and criticism earlier this year when media coverage and academics raised concerns that universities in the US and UK were disproportionately disciplining Muslim students and students of colour for lawful pro‑Palestine protest and criticism of Israel.

In June, an independent United Nations commission concluded that Israel's actions in Gaza amounted to acts that could be considered genocide, including deliberate targeting of children; the Israeli government has rejected those findings. The controversy around those international findings has fed into broader public debate about campus protests and how institutions respond.

Ghanem, who does not have lawful immigration status in a third country, said he feared returning to Egypt after the university initially sought to withdraw its sponsorship. He has remained in the UK since last May. Separately, he has an ongoing legal claim against KCL alleging breaches of human rights, assault, personal injury, discrimination and harassment.

Ghanem's UK lawyer, Franck Magennis, praised the sustained legal and public campaigning by supporters that contributed to the outcome of the review. The Home Office, which oversees UK Visas & Immigration, had not commented at the time of reporting.