Two former student leaders at the School of Oriental and African Studies (Soas) in London have reached a settlement with the university’s students’ union after taking the union to court over wrongful dismissal for their anti-Zionist beliefs and pro-Palestine activism.
Alexander Cachinero-Gorman and Abel Harvie-Clark brought claims against the Soas Students’ Union and Soas after they were sacked from their elected sabbatical roles in 2024, before they had a chance to assume them.
Both student activists were dismissed from their positions despite being freely elected by the student body.
The pair said their dismissal was due to their anti-Zionist philosophical beliefs and student activism in support of Palestine.
In March 2024 the student body elected Gorman to serve as vice president of welfare and campaigns, and Clark as vice president of democracy and education.
But the students’ union trustee board dismissed the pair in June 2024 over concerns about their conduct and public criticism of the union’s leadership.
However, after the tribunal proceedings began, both parties reached a settlement for an undisclosed amount, bringing the case to a close without a full hearing.