In a video released<\/a> by multiple activist groups on Instagram, Jafer stated that viewing it meant he had been \u201ckidnapped in international waters and taken by force\u201d by Israel. He further called for the UK government to \u201creturn me and all of our other activists home.\u201d<\/p>\n Jafer is among a number of activists reported to have been detained following the boarding. His current whereabouts and condition are unknown.<\/p>\n Jafer, who graduated from King\u2019s in BSc Global Health and Social Medicine in January, has been active in the pro-Palestine student movement throughout his time at the university. He was among those who helped to launch<\/a> the 2024 pro-Palestine student encampment<\/a> at King\u2019s.<\/p>\n In an email to KCL senior management, seen by Roar, Jafer criticised the university\u2019s silence on the alleged Gaza genocide and pleaded for support, writing, \u201cI am practically begging for your support, as my university, as my employer, as my community, as my backbone, and as my home away from home, to show your support, or at least speak up for my safety and protection by the UK government.\u201d<\/p>\n He continued, \u201cKing\u2019s prides itself to be a decolonial institution\u2026 Now\u2019s your golden chance to set things right and prove it.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cFor the South African Apartheid, King\u2019s played its part: partnerships were cut, scholasticide was challenged, academic freedom was centralised and protected, students and academics were safeguarded and talked about, and funding was cut from complicit channels. So why not for Palestine?\u201d<\/p>\n He concluded, \u201cThe story of the next few weeks is not a story about Hasnain on a boat. It is a story about whether the bodies that claim to represent us, regulate us, and educate us are willing to stand up for our lives and safety.\u201d<\/p>\n King\u2019s College London has been approached for comment. <\/p>\n In a joint statement, KCL Students for Justice for Palestine (KCL SJP) and KCL Stands For Justice (KCL S4J) said that \u201cHasnain Jafer, alongside many others on board the Global Sumud Flotilla, have been illegally kidnapped by the Zionist entity [Israel] after setting sail in an effort to challenge and break the siege on Gaza\u2026 We demand that King\u2019s College London ensures Hasnain Jafer, a staff member at KCLSU, is protected.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n The student groups also prompted students to \u201ccall on the UK government to demand for Hasnain Jafer\u2019s release. Contact his local MP, Shabana Mahmood.\u201d <\/p>\n A spokesperson for KCLSU said:<\/p>\n \u201cWe are aware that a member of our Sabbatical Officer team, Hasnain Jafer (Vice President Education (Health)), has elected to join the Global Sumud Flotilla in his personal capacity.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cWe now believe that Hasnain has been detained in international waters. \u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cWe recognise that many members of our community will share our concerns for his welfare and safety, and addressing these concerns remains our top priority. We are engaging with others with a view to ascertaining what we might do to facilitate his safe return.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cWe note that any activity undertaken by KCLSU, a registered charity, must remain consistent with our charitable objectives, governance responsibilities, and trustees\u2019 duties. This activity has not been organised, authorised, or funded by KCLSU.\u201d<\/p>\n Multiple pro-Palestine activist groups, including KCL S4J, are now arranging an emergency protest<\/a> outside Downing Street at 6pm on Tuesday, 19 May to \u201censure that the government protects its citizens.\u201d<\/p>\n The GSF is an international activist movement aiming to break Israel\u2019s blockade of the Gaza Strip by supplying aid to its population. The most recent flotilla of 54 vessels<\/a> and more than 420 activists departed from Marmaris in T\u00fcrkiye at around 11:00am last Thursday, 14 May.<\/p>\n \u00a0The mission comes amid mounting international concerns over humanitarian conditions in Gaza, with UN agencies repeatedly warning of severe shortages in food and medical aid. The Gaza Strip has been under blockade since 2007, with restrictions intensifying after the Gaza War on 7 October 2023. The blockade played a significant role<\/a> in the ongoing International Court of Justice case against the State of Israel, where Israel stands accused of committing genocide against the Palestinian people.\u00a0<\/p>\n In an X post<\/a> shortly before the interception, Israel\u2019s Foreign Ministry described the GSF as a \u201cprovocation for the sake of provocation\u201d and maintained that \u201cIsrael will not allow any breach of the lawful naval blockade on Gaza.\u201d<\/p>\n Previous interceptions of the GSF have received widespread condemnation. Earlier this month, United Nations spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheetan maintained<\/a> that delivering humanitarian aid is \u201cnot a crime\u201d and called for the immediate release of flotilla participants held by Israel.\u00a0<\/p>\n UN experts and human rights officials have also raised concerns over the interception and detention of activists in international waters, arguing that such actions violate international law and freedom of navigation.\u00a0<\/p>\n Amnesty International, an international human rights organisation, has previously raised concerns<\/a> that activists have faced human rights abuses in detention, including sleep deprivation, denial of drinking water and medical care.\u00a0<\/p>\n Israel maintains<\/a> that its actions are in accordance with international law and that it remains committed to freedom of navigation.<\/p>\n Matthew Pellow is the Head of News at Roar and previously served as a News Editor and Staff Writer. He studies History and French at King\u2019s College London. During his time at Roar, Matthew has reported on major campus developments, from investigations into student homelessness and university administration to coverage of protests and political events at King\u2019s. Alongside his reporting, he writes commentary on international politics and conflict. At Roar, Matthew has contributed to investigative reporting, breaking campus news, and shaping the paper\u2019s editorial direction as part of its senior leadership team.<\/p>\n Head of News <\/p>\n Aya Yousaf is a first year Politics, Philosophy and Law undergraduate and has been a staff writer at Roar News since October 2025. Aya primarily covers campus news and student affairs.<\/p>\n Mustafa is a first-year Political Economy undergraduate and has been a staff writer at Roar News since October 2025, writing for the News section as well as The King’s Jester.<\/p>\n
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