Universities minister considers reporting NUS to Charity Commission over antisemitism
Michelle Donelan says she is “deeply concerned by antisemitism within the NUS”, and added: "Students deserve better from their representative organisation."
The Government could suspend its engagement with the National Union of Students because of antisemitism allegations, the universities minister has said.
Michelle Donelan said she is “deeply concerned by antisemitism within the NUS”, and added she is considering reporting the union to the Charity Commission.
Her comments came as the Government’s antisemitism adviser, Lord Mann, called for action over “escalating revelations about the continuing poor treatment of Jewish students and the lack of leadership on anti-Jewish racism from the union”, The Times reported.
In March, Jewish students said they had been “failed” by the NUS after the controversial rapper Lowkey was invited to appear at a centenary event for the union.
The musician had previously expressed support for former Labour MP Chris Williamson, who was suspended from the party in 2019 over allegations of antisemitism, and said the media had “weaponised the Jewish heritage of (Ukrainian President Volodymyr) Zelensky”.
Jewish students have also raised concerns about comments made by newly elected NUS president Shaima Dallali on social media.
In 2012, she wrote “Khaybar Khaybar O Jews… Muhammad’s army will return #Gaza”, referring to a massacre of Jews in 628. She has since apologised for the post.
She said: “This is a tweet I posted 10 years ago during Israel’s assault on Gaza in 2012. This reference made as a teenager was unacceptable and I unreservedly apologise.”
Ms Donelan said: “I am deeply concerned by antisemitism within the NUS, including the remarks of the new president and the previous suggestions that Jewish students should be ‘segregated’. Students deserve better from their representative organisation.
“I am actively considering a range of possible measures, including reporting the NUS to the Charity Commission and full suspension from all engagement with Government – to be replaced by alternative student voices – unless they take immediate steps to regain the confidence of Jewish students.”
An NUS spokesman said: “NUS is taking the antisemitism allegations seriously. There is no place for antisemitism within the student movement. We are truly sorry for the concern and worry caused in recent weeks and are working to address any wrongdoing and rebuild trust.
“The NUS board will be following our robust internal procedures, including considering appointing an independent external party to support with this.
“Lord Mann’s suggestion the Government should ‘de-recognise’ NUS is very serious and we ask for dialogue and due process to take their course.”
A spokesman for the Union of Jewish Students said: “It is vital that NUS take responsibility for their actions in failing to support Jewish students. We welcome the letter from Lord Mann and ask the new leadership of NUS to take these matters seriously.”
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.
