Police seize firearms from home of Oxford student arrested for anti-Israel chants

Firearms and ammunition have allegedly been seized at the home of an Oxford University student who was arrested for anti-Israel protesting. Officers raided the home of Sam Williams in a cul-de-sac in Pembury, Tunbridge Wells, followed by a forensic officer on Thursday, according to reports. Photos from the scene obtained by the Daily Mail appeared to show an officer carrying clear plastic bags of shotgun cartridges, rifles and shotguns from the property.

One neighbour told the newspaper: "It's a bit worrying there were shotguns and ammunition in the house. They may be legally owned [but] we didn't know they went hunting. Obviously the police have got a job to do, but as far as we're concerned, it adds a layer of extra worry to it all."

There is no suggestion the guns are not legally owned.

Williams was reportedly suspended from Oxford University shortly after his arrest for leading an antisemitic chant at a pro-Palestine protest in central London last week.

The 20-year-old undergraduate student was studying Politics, Philosophy and Economics at Balliol College before he was detained on suspicion of inciting racial hatred after the video was widely shared on social media.

Footage from the rally last weekend showed Williams leading the assembled crowd in a chant of: "Gaza, Gaza make us proud, put the Zios in the ground". 'Zio' is a derogatory term for Zionists and Jewish people.

He was also caught on camera holding a banner reading: "Oxford University pick a side, justice or genocide."

The Metropolitan Police said in a statement on Wednesday: "Officers investigating chants filmed at a Palestine Coalition Demonstration in central London on Saturday, October 11, have made an arrest.

"A 20-year-old man was arrested at an address in Oxfordshire on Wednesday, October 15, on suspicion of inciting racial hatred. He remains in police custody."

A statement from Oxford University added: "While the university cannot comment on individual student cases, it has the power to take immediate and proportionate action including, as appropriate, suspending a student from membership of the university, whenever serious concerns are raised.

"Oxford University is unequivocal: there is no place for hatred, anti-semitism or discrimination within our community, and we will always act to protect the safety and dignity of our students."