Jewish students now ‘back on the same page’ as NUS after meeting

Jewish student representatives say they are now “back on the same page” as the National Union of Students after a “positive” meeting, the first since anti-Israel NUS president Malia Bouattia lost her re-election bid.

Relations between the NUS and the Union of Jewish Students (UJS) came to a head towards the end of the last academic year, when Jewish students proposed a motion to break all ties with the national student body.

Bouattia’s one-year term was dogged by allegations of anti-Semitism before she lost in an election to Shakira Martin in April. Last week, Martin and NUS chief executive Simon Blake met the UJS leadership team for much needed clear-the-air talks.

“It was so heartening after everything that Jewish students and UJS went through last year to have a day of positive meetings and discussions on how we can rebuild and develop the relationship,” said UJS campaigns manager Liron Velleman.

“Clearly there is much work to be done, but I’m glad that everyone seemed to be on the same page to work on a two-track process to deal with some of the issues that still exist and also find more ways to work together, particularly around faith and belief, and Holocaust Education.”

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