Sam Lebens, a Jewish member of the NUS National Executive put forward the motion following comments the Respect MP for Bethnal Green and Bow made during a rally in London on 22 July.

NUS President Gemma Tumelty said: “NUS deplores the violence in the Middle East and its sympathies are with all the affected peoples, Israeli, Palestinian and Lebanese. NUS believe that support for Hezbollah...should not be equated with support for the Lebanese people.

“As a progressive union it is our duty to promote peace and understanding between peoples. We believe that some of the statements made by Mr Galloway are damaging to the peace process and ought to be condemned.”

Mitch Simmons, UJS’ Campaign Organiser said: “I applaud the stance the NUS is taking against racism and fascism. Regardless of your opinions on the Middle East and this country’s foreign policy, you can’t have people like Galloway making those comments”.