Over 20 former presidents of the National Union of Students (NUS) have written a private warning to the organisation’s trustees, asking them to address concerns raised by Jewish students over alleged anti-Semitism.
The letter – which has been leaked to the Guardian – has been signed by 21 ex-presidents of the union, dating back to the 1960s; including former cabinet ministers Jim Murphy and Charles Clarke, and Shadow Health Secretary Wes Streeting.
‘Serious concerns about antisemitism’
The letter states: ‘This is not just a matter of protecting NUS’s reputation, but honouring NUS’s proud anti-racist principles.’
Other signatories include the first black female NUS president Shakira Martin, Sky News presenter Trevor Phillips, and former Labour MPs Lorna Fitzsimons, Stephen Twigg, and Phil Woolas.
This comes after fresh concerns were highlighted by Jewish students, as the NUS invited rapper Lowkey to perform at an event, despite comments he made suggesting that international media had ‘weaponised the Jewish heritage of [Ukrainian president] Zelenskyy’ so that it could alleged far-right activity in Ukraine could be overlooked.
According to the report, the students who pointed this out were reportedly told by the NUS that they could go to a ‘safe space’ while Lowkey performed – the NUS has since denied the suggestion that this resulted in the segregation of Jewish students.
The Union of Jewish Students (UJS) also lodged complaints regarding derogatory comments made by the NUS president-elect Shaima Dallali when she was a teenager that referred to a historic massacre of Jewish people. Dallali has since apologised for the post, but other social media posts are also being investigated.
‘Reputational damage’
The NUS board has called a crisis meeting; Conservative MP Robert Halfon, the chair of the education select committee, has said the NUS has been referred to the Charity Commission over the issue.
Michelle Donelan, the higher education minister, also said last week that she would potentially report the NUS too – the Guardian reports that ‘the government could suspend engagement with the union over the allegations.’ Donelan has since called on all UK student unions to ‘consider disaffiliation’ with the NUS, ‘unless matters improve.’
The NUS has responded to this criticism in a press release, stating: ‘NUS is taking antisemitism allegations seriously. There is no place for antisemitism within the student movement.
‘We have unreservedly apologised for the concern and worry caused in recent weeks, and are working to address any wrongdoing and rebuild trust.’
‘The board are meeting to instigate our robust internal procedures including considering appointing an independent external party to support with this.
‘If we find that action needs to be taken we won’t hesitate to take it, as we have previously. For information, NUS is not a charity and we aren’t funded by public money. However, we gladly set ourselves the highest bar in terms of our conduct. We welcome the opportunity to work with politicians, as we do with various government officials and advisors.’
However, another NUS press release adds: ‘It is deeply concerning that public allegations are being made by Government Ministers and Government advisors without evidence or engaging in any due process.
‘We have reached out on multiple occasions to Government colleagues to invite them to ask us any questions, raise concerns, and have full sight of our internal processes. We are now taking legal advice on some of the actions of these individuals. ‘
‘Serious and significant problem’
The leaked letter – addressed to current president Larissa Kennedy, as well as trustees – says that complaints and complainants need to be taken more seriously.
‘We are writing to you privately as former presidents with serious concerns about antisemitism, the safety and treatment of Jewish students at NUS events and within your democracy, and the way in which NUS is responding to these concerns,’ the letter states, adding that it is ‘clear NUS has a serious and significant problem.’
The letter continued: ‘We hope that the trustees understand the gravity of the crisis facing the organisation, the reputational damage it is suffering, and the potentially existential threat that de-recognition of NUS poses to the future of the organisation – and your responsibility to act.’