National Conference Brings Together More Than 200 Students from 30 UK Universities in Support of Palestine

More than 200 students from over 30 universities gathered for the National Student Conference for Palestine (NSCP) 2026, as student organisers sought to strengthen nationwide coordination and build a sustainable movement in support of Palestinian liberation.

The two-day conference took place on 24 and 25 October and was organised by the Palestinian Youth Movement (PYM), in collaboration with students from universities across the country. Many participants attended as part of organised university delegations.

Now in its third consecutive year, the conference brought together students under the theme “The Onward Struggle: Accumulating, Organising and Resisting Zionism”.

The programme focused on preparing students for the next phase of organising, drawing on lessons learned over the past three years of student activism. Sessions aimed to provide participants with practical insights into building sustainable student organisations capable of challenging and isolating Zionism on university campuses.

Organisers said the conference sought to strengthen the movement’s long-term capacity, particularly amid growing links between universities and Zionism and increasing pressure on pro-Palestinian student activism.

Students reaffirm commitment to Palestinian liberation

Zaha, one of the conference organisers, said the gathering demonstrated the continued importance of student organising within the wider Palestine movement, despite what she described as growing repression and intimidation.

“In the face of the growing militarisation of university campuses and the deepening of their ties with Zionism, a national convening of this historic scale has cemented the place of students within the Palestine movement, despite increasing repression and intimidation,” she said.

She added that the conference had demonstrated that student organising for Palestine was not simply a short-lived response to the genocide in Gaza, but reflected a longer-term commitment to Palestinian liberation.

Zaha said the national coordination and unity developed through the conference would help advance that goal, as students continue to organise and strengthen their presence across university campuses.

The 2026 gathering marks the third consecutive national student conference organised by PYM, reflecting continued efforts to develop a coordinated student movement and sustain solidarity with Palestine across UK universities.

More photos: