Jewish student activist elected to top NUS position

A top Jewish student activist has been elected as a vice president of the National Union of Students.

Izzy Lenga, 23, told students she is “thrilled to have been elected as a proud Jewish woman” to the post of Vice President for Welfare within the NUS.

The student at Birmingham University says she will work “tirelessly to ensure our movement and our society is free from any form of anti-Semitism, as well as all other types of racism and discrimination”.

Welcoming her election win, the Union of Jewish Students said they are “delighted”, adding that “she has shown exceptional commitment as Education Officer at the University of Birmingham, on NUS NEC (National Executive Committee) and in her wider campaigning work for Jewish students and students from a range of backgrounds and cultures”.

“We hope that Izzy’s success will empower other Jewish students to run for leadership roles, both in their student unions and nationally.”

Speaking to students after her election success, Izzy said: “We are living through some of the most turbulent and uncertain times: accommodation is unaffordable, poor student mental health is rife and social media abuse is rampant on campus. As we go to the polls in June, we must make sure that issues facing students are at the heart of the debate.”

Earlier on Wednesday, controversial NUS president Malia Bouattia lost her battle to be re-elected as leader. 28-year-old Shakira Martin defeated Bouattia by 402 votes to 272.