Students union settles case with former president over antisemitism allegations

THE National Union of Students has reached a settlement with its former president who was sacked after an investigation into allegations of antisemitism.

Shaima Dallali had her contract as the National Union of Students (NUS) president terminated in November 2022 after an independent panel found that “significant breaches of NUS policies have taken place”.

Ms Dallai rejected the findings of a disciplinary panel and began employment tribunal proceedings against the union in March 2023 as she claimed she had been subjected to “discriminatory conduct”.

A joint statement from the NUS and Ms Dallai on Tuesday said a settlement has been reached between the two parties “bringing an end” to the proceedings before the employment tribunal.

The terms of the settlement will “not be disclosed”, the statement said.

Ms Dallali said: “I am pleased that we have been able to resolve matters and that I can put this matter behind me.

“I am an anti-Zionist and a proud pro-Palestinian. Following today’s settlement, I look forward to being able to focus on continuing to dedicate myself to the Palestinian cause and to serving my community.

“I am immensely grateful to those who have supported me during this difficult chapter in my life and I am pleased that all parties can now move on.

“Now more than ever, it is important that all communities come together for peace and justice.”

A joint statement from the NUS and Ms Dallai said: “As has been noted repeatedly in the media, NUS was very concerned by a tweet that was written by Ms Dallali when she was a teenager, before she was even a student, in 2012.

“Ms Dallali has accepted that while it was not her intention, the tweet was antisemitic. Both parties accept that Ms Dallali has repeatedly apologised for that tweet.”

In May 2022, the NUS commissioned Rebecca Tuck KC to lead an independent investigation into allegations of antisemitism within the union, as well as an investigation into Ms Dallali.