Racism prompts resignation of NUS officials.
toplpunkt | 12.04.2005 18:08
Of course, being judeophobic racism, indymedia's readers are likely to protest my having posted the below in language reminiscent of a Der Sturmer op-ed...
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Guardian. 12/4
Polly Curtis.
The Chief Rabbi, Dr Jonathan Sacks, today condemned the National Union of Students after three of its Jewish officials of the union resigned last week over a perceived failure to tackle anti-semitism on campuses.
Luciana Berger and Mitch Simmons resigned from the national executive of the NUS and Jonny Warren resigned from the steering committee during the union's national conference last week in Blackpool. They claimed that the union's leadership was "turning a blind eye" to anti-semitic leaflets being distributed at conference and a series of rows on campuses throughout the year.
Kat Fletcher, the president of the union, said she was "deeply concerned" by the resignations.
Ms Berger, who has been convenor of NUS's anti-racism campaign this year, said: "There's been a host of events throughout the year. Issues of anti-semitism have been brought to the leadership's attention and there's been total inaction. At conference, which is the heart of our democracy, there were further events of anti-semitism. The leadership were turning a blind eye to anti-semitism."
The leaflets at conference referred to the Elders of the Protocol of Zion, a 19th century forgery which claimed that there was a plan for Jewish global domination and was subsequently used in anti-Jewish propaganda. Other instances throughout the year relate largely to an ongoing row at the School of Oriental and African Studies, part of the University of London, where there have been continuing clashes between the Jewish society and the union. Jewish students objected to a conference organised by the Palestinian society on the academic boycott of Israel, entitled Resisting Israeli Apartheid: Strategies and Principles.
In a statement issued by the Union of Jewish students, Dr Sacks said: "I am distressed that the atmosphere at this year's NUS conference was so hostile that the Jewish members of its executive felt compelled to resign. They did not do this lightly.
"Having spent the weekend with Jewish student leaders, it is clear that they felt threatened by the atmosphere at NUS conference, disturbed by materials being distributed there, and dismayed at the lack of support from the NUS leadership. This cannot continue if NUS is to win the fight against racism in all its forms."
Ms Fletcher, said: "NUS is an organisation which has the principles of equality, diversity and democracy at its very core. We are proud of our record in tackling racism and fascism wherever it occurs and have undertaken excellent work this year in promoting interfaith dialogue on campuses.
"We are deeply concerned that three of our committee members have decided to resign from their last few months in office.
"NUS will be looking at the issues that have come up in great detail and we will be seeking to ensure that students of all faiths and backgrounds can continue to actively participate in our campaigns and our democracy."
http://education.guardian.co.uk/students/news/story/0,12891,1457797,00.html
Guardian. 12/4
Polly Curtis.
The Chief Rabbi, Dr Jonathan Sacks, today condemned the National Union of Students after three of its Jewish officials of the union resigned last week over a perceived failure to tackle anti-semitism on campuses.
Luciana Berger and Mitch Simmons resigned from the national executive of the NUS and Jonny Warren resigned from the steering committee during the union's national conference last week in Blackpool. They claimed that the union's leadership was "turning a blind eye" to anti-semitic leaflets being distributed at conference and a series of rows on campuses throughout the year.
Kat Fletcher, the president of the union, said she was "deeply concerned" by the resignations.
Ms Berger, who has been convenor of NUS's anti-racism campaign this year, said: "There's been a host of events throughout the year. Issues of anti-semitism have been brought to the leadership's attention and there's been total inaction. At conference, which is the heart of our democracy, there were further events of anti-semitism. The leadership were turning a blind eye to anti-semitism."
The leaflets at conference referred to the Elders of the Protocol of Zion, a 19th century forgery which claimed that there was a plan for Jewish global domination and was subsequently used in anti-Jewish propaganda. Other instances throughout the year relate largely to an ongoing row at the School of Oriental and African Studies, part of the University of London, where there have been continuing clashes between the Jewish society and the union. Jewish students objected to a conference organised by the Palestinian society on the academic boycott of Israel, entitled Resisting Israeli Apartheid: Strategies and Principles.
In a statement issued by the Union of Jewish students, Dr Sacks said: "I am distressed that the atmosphere at this year's NUS conference was so hostile that the Jewish members of its executive felt compelled to resign. They did not do this lightly.
"Having spent the weekend with Jewish student leaders, it is clear that they felt threatened by the atmosphere at NUS conference, disturbed by materials being distributed there, and dismayed at the lack of support from the NUS leadership. This cannot continue if NUS is to win the fight against racism in all its forms."
Ms Fletcher, said: "NUS is an organisation which has the principles of equality, diversity and democracy at its very core. We are proud of our record in tackling racism and fascism wherever it occurs and have undertaken excellent work this year in promoting interfaith dialogue on campuses.
"We are deeply concerned that three of our committee members have decided to resign from their last few months in office.
"NUS will be looking at the issues that have come up in great detail and we will be seeking to ensure that students of all faiths and backgrounds can continue to actively participate in our campaigns and our democracy."
http://education.guardian.co.uk/students/news/story/0,12891,1457797,00.html
toplpunkt
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