UJS condemns NUS’ adoption of ‘inherently indiscriminate’ BDS policy
Yesterday, NUS voted to adopt the anti-Israel BDS policy. Here is UJS’ statement in response:
“Today, NUS NEC voted to adopt a BDS policy, calling for sanctions on Israel and for all students’ unions in the UK to bring boycott campaigns to their campuses.
The motion supports the BDS movement, a movement whose tactics are inherently indiscriminate and whose boundaries are undefined. Whatever your politics on the conflict, when there is a strong campaign with ill-defined boundaries, there is no way to monitor the areas and people you will end up targeting.
As many of our members know, boycott policies in students’ unions have a real impact on their lives on campus. Students at Manchester couldn’t access kosher food because there was Hebrew writing; students in Sheffield had to fight against pressure to step down as J-Soc officers, simply because they were Israeli.
For all the insistence from campaigners who argue ‘BDS doesn’t target individuals’ – time and time again this is proven not to be the case. Even today at the vote, Jewish students reported to UJS that they felt intimidated and bullied by the antagonistic atmosphere.
The timing of this vote is also extremely problematic. European Jewry is facing a period of unprecedented hostility in civil society with antisemitic incidents at a high. This month alone has seen over 130 incidents of antisemitic hate in the UK, recorded by the CST.
The passing of this motion is a failure of NUS to maintain its duty of care to the variety of student groups it must endeavour to represent, particularly with the International Students Officer voting for BDS.
NUS National Executive Committee have passed a policy that will only divide student groups, undermine interfaith relations, and suffocate progressive voices for peace on both sides.
Furthermore, whilst we are delighted that NUS reaffirmed its commitment to a Two State Solution it is reprehensible that 20 representatives of the Executive voted against accepting it as policy.
The Jewish people have an inalienable right to self-determination, and on this principle, The Union of Jewish Students will not compromise.”
- If you are a student and you are concerned about your return to campus in light of this policy passing today, then please get in touch with Maggie or Russell at maggies@ujs.org.uk or russelll@ujs.org.uk .
- Read the full news story here
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
