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UJS to debate NUS split at conference
Delegates at this weekend’s Union of Jewish Students conference will debate whether to suspend the organisation’s working relationship with the National Union of Students
December 6, 2016 10:50
Delegates at this weekend’s Union of Jewish Students conference will debate whether to suspend the organisation’s working relationship with the National Union of Students
December 6, 2016 10:50Delegates at this weekend’s Union of Jewish Students conference will debate whether to suspend the organisation’s working relationship with the National Union of Students.
Two UJS members, Binyomin Gilbert, a student at Goldsmith’s, and Avrahum Sanger, who attends SOAS, have submitted a motion urging that the union cuts its ties with the national body.
The motion expresses concern over Malia Bouattia, who was elected as president of the NUS in April, highlighting her references to the University of Birmingham as a “Zionist outpost”, and to “Zionist-led media outlets” and the “Zionist lobby”.
It also cites what it describes as her failure to deal with the concerns of Jewish students, as well as her apparent refusal to allow Jewish students the right to identify antisemitism for themselves.
Mr Gilbert said: “This has gone on far too long. The NUS president must apologise, must commit to upholding the NUS policy of endorsing the definition of antisemitism and act upon it.
“[Ms Bouattia] must recognise the multifaceted nature of Jewish identity and our people’s right to national self-determination and stop applying double standards on how oppressed groups are treated, or we must walk away until such a time as the NUS is led by those committed to fighting racism when it affects Jews and not just other groups.”
Josh Seitler, the president of UJS, said: “Like huge numbers of Jewish students I am appalled by Malia’s past rhetoric and ongoing behaviour.
“It is inexcusable that despite plenty of opportunities – most recently when I put the concerns and demands of Jewish students to her directly – Malia has failed to unequivocally apologise and commit to uphold NUS policy on antisemitism underpinned by the EUMC working definition.”
Hannah Kaufman, the president of the London School of Economics JSoc and a recently elected NUS delegate, said: “Jewish students are fed up, some of us might still choose to fight for change from within NUS, but I wouldn’t be surprised if collectively Jewish students decide that unless Malia finally and frankly apologises, UJS will have to suspend its working relationship with an NUS under her inept leadership.”
The motion will be put to the UJS conference this Sunday; UJS members will also find out the identity of their next president at the conference, with results of the election for the post due to be announced over the course of the day.
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