Student facing a censure vote resigns from the NEC
A MEMBER of the National Union of Students’ national executive committee has resigned ahead of a vote on whether to censure him after his comments comparing Israel to the Nazis.
Ayo Olatunji, who was elected to the NEC in April, had been accused by the Union of Jewish Students of “blatantly antisemitic language shared online”.
He was facing the censure motion at a meeting on Monday, after Sally Patterson, a Jewish member of the NEC, submitted an emergency motion.
Tweets from Mr Olatunji in August included the accusation that “the Israel lobby has been seen to bully the UK into changing headlines and focus. I believe it is happening right now with Jeremy Corbyn.” He also tweeted: “Regardless of where the IHRA definition is accepted in society it is important to ALWAYS state and push the fact that Israel is a racist endeavour, we can’t
Ayo Olatunji let the imperialist racist state of Israel revise history. Also, there are many Nazi policies and principles that are embodied within Israel’s culture and policy making, don’t allow Israel to change your mind on this.”
The UJS described Mr Olatunji’s Nazi comparison as “outrageous”, and said that, under the IHRA definition of antisemitism that the NUS has adopted, such language was antisemitic.
A UJS spokesperson said: “We are pleased that Ayo Olatunji has resigned from NEC of the National Union of Students. Olatunji deliberately caused deep hurt to Jewish students with his antisemitic comments.
“We have been clear throughout this incident that antisemitism and Holocaust Inversion have absolutely no place in the student movement and neither do those who knowingly engage in it.” An NUS spokesperson confirmed Mr Olatunji had resigned, adding: “NUS will continue to engage with the Jewish students and the community to identify ways we can ensure our spaces are inclusive and accessible to all students. We will always strive to create a sector, organisation and movement that gives everyone the opportunity to learn, share ideas and lead without fear.”