King's College London's own website hosts a genocide claim against Israel and a boycott call, naming Professor Hanna Kienzler as its point of contact.
King's College London published a statement on its own website on August 7, 2026. The page accuses Israel of genocide in Gaza and calls for boycott, divestment and sanctions. It names Professor Hanna Kienzler as its point of contact. She made a similar demand of the university's president in December 2023.
What Does the King's College London Statement Say?
The page, titled "LEAB Personal Statement on the Genocide in Gaza," is attributed to the Lived Experience Advisory Board (LEAB). King's describes LEAB as advising its ESRC Centre for Society and Mental Health. King's states LEAB is composed of people with lived experience of mental distress or illness alongside professionals in the field.
The statement describes its authors' solidarity and advocacy work. It says this work opposes what it terms the "genocide" against Palestinians in Gaza and alleged abuses in the West Bank. It alleges universities have used safeguarding policy to shield "political support for genocide while silencing opposition to it." Its authors say they will join calls for boycott, divestment and sanctions against institutional activity tied to what it calls "the mass murder of Palestinians." It urges universities to challenge what it terms "pro genocide activities and narratives."
Who Signed the King's College London Statement?
Eight named LEAB members signed the statement: Rick Burgess, James Edwin, Raza Griffiths, Rachel Hill, Cassandra Lovelock, Bwalya Mulenga, Janahan Sivanathan, and Sonia Thompson. King's describes LEAB members as people with lived experience of mental distress or illness and professionals working in that field.
Who Is Hanna Kienzler, the Named Contact for the Statement?
Hanna Kienzler is Professor of Global Health and Co-Director of the Centre for Society and Mental Health at King's College London. Her King's faculty profile lists her as currently on sabbatical until December 2026. The LEAB page names her as the contact for questions about the statement.
Has Kienzler Made This Argument at King's Before?
Roar News, King's student newspaper, reported on December 6, 2023 that Kienzler had published an open letter addressed to Vice-Chancellor and President Shitij Kapur. The letter used the term "genocide" and called on King's to boycott and disinvest from Israeli academic partnerships. Roar's report states this was the first instance of an individual King's academic publicly condemning the university on the issue. It also noted her history of pro-Palestinian advocacy on social media.
What Antisemitism Has King's Documented Since 2023?
King's has recorded several named antisemitism incidents in the same period the university hosted statements from Kienzler and LEAB.
The Jewish Chronicle reported in March 2024 that Israeli speaker Ely Lassman and panelist Kiyah Willis received death threats. The threats followed news that a planned King's Israel Society talk on conflict resolution had been publicized, and the event was cancelled. Society president Aurele Tobelem said he considered legal action after reporting the threats to police.
The Campaign Against Antisemitism published testimony from a King's student. She said she received abusive messages after declining to join an October 2024 walkout marking the anniversary of the October 7 attacks. She said a university wellness advisor suggested she try to understand the other students' behavior toward her.
The Tab reported in May 2025 that a King's Jewish student found a swastika carved into a desk. King's confirmed the graffiti was investigated and removed. The university said it remains engaged with its Israeli and Jewish student societies.
A May 2025 StandWithUs UK report drew on confidential interviews with Jewish students at multiple UK universities. It included six testimonies from King's, more than any other institution surveyed. One anonymous student described classmates saying they had "fished" her out of a group chat after she identified as a Zionist.
King's student Tali Smus wrote in the Telegraph in 2026. She said she has felt isolated since a class group chat discussion of the Israel-Hamas conflict on her first day in September 2024. King's told the paper its investigation into the messages found no breach warranting misconduct proceedings.
King's has stated publicly that racism, antisemitism and threats of violence have no place at the university.
Has King's College London or Professor Kienzler Responded?
Olam contacted Professor Hanna Kienzler and King's College London by email and phone. Olam requested comment on the LEAB statement, its use of the term "genocide," and its call for boycott, divestment and sanctions. Neither had responded as of publication. This piece will be updated with any response received.