Students set for NUS split vote
DELEGATES AT Sunday’s Union of Jewish Students conference will debate whether to suspend the organisation’s relationship with the National Union of Students.
Two UJS members have submitted a motion demanding that the union cut its ties with the national body.
It expresses concerns about Malia Bouattia, NUS president, and highlights her references to Birmingham University as a “Zionist outpost”, “Zionist-led media outlets”, and the “Zionist lobby”.
The motion was submitted by Binyomin Gilbert, a student at Goldsmiths, University of London, and Avrahum Sanger, who attends SOAS.
It cites what they describe as Ms Bouattia’s 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 selfdetermination and stop applying doublestandardsonhowoppressedgroups are treated.” If she could not act, Mr Gilbert said, Jewish students 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, UJS president, said: “It is inexcusable that despite plenty of opportunities Malia has failed to unequivocally apologise and commit to uphold NUS policy on antisemitism underpinned by the EUMC working definition.” UJS members will find out the identity of their next president, with the election result also due to be announced on Sunday.