NUS antisemitism report is 'vindication' for Jewish students says former president

The investigation was one of two launched in May last year. The first was into former president Shaima Dallali who was fired in November after an independent panel found “significant breaches of NUS’ policies”.

The NUS itself described today's 100-page report as “a detailed and shocking account of antisemitism” and has pledged to implement the KC’s recommendations in full.

Whilst I welcome this shocking but sobering report from @NUS_UK on antisemitism in the NUS - and the work that has been done to get to this stage - - I will be taking time to review the report fully and consider the next steps. The proof of the pudding will be in the eating. 👇 https://t.co/rnvqpTidqg

— Robert Halfon MP ➡️Working Hard for Harlow⬅️ (@halfon4harlowMP) January 12, 2023

Reacting to the report, Wes Streeting, Labour MP and former NUS President said: “This report is a vindication of UJS and others who sounded the alarm about NUS’s failure to tackle antisemitism within in its ranks. Jewish students have shown real courage in the face of terrible adversity."

He also praised the NUS for accepting the recommendations in full, and taking the "unprecedented step" of removing a sitting president from office, adding that there are "encouraging signs that NUS is taking the action needed to restore the organisation to the proud anti-racist organisation it has been throughout most of its 100 year history."

And Labour's Shadow Universities Minister, Matt Western MP, described the findings as "deeply worrying", saying: "Antisemitism has no place in society and must be stamped out wherever it is found.

"I am pleased to see the NUS accept the findings of the Report and recognise the need for change. Students deserve to feel safe, supported and welcome on campus."

Many deeply worrying findings in this report. Antisemitism has no place in society and must be stamped out.

Pleased the NUS fully accept the findings. I look forward to seeing their action plan implemented, working with the Jewish community. https://t.co/FDwXkd1QUx

— Matt Western MP 💙 🇬🇧🇨🇦 (@MattWestern_) January 12, 2023

Education Minister Robert Halfon told the JC: "The proof of the pudding is in the eating, and never again should the main body that represents students across this country be a hostile place for Britain's Jewish students.

"It shouldn't just be a safe place, it should be a welcoming place, and so, I want to see what happens and what the NUS does to make sure the recommendations aren't just nice words on a piece of paper, but actually happen in practice."

And Lord John Mann, the government's independent advisor on antisemitism, told the JC that this report is "an important staging post", and has ramifications beyond just the UK.

"There's a lot of substance in it," he said. "If they can demonstrate they can deliver on it, it's of big significance actually beyond this country because it could set a standard for student organisations in Europe and particularly North America."

Our comment by @KarenPollock100 on the searing the report into antisemitism within the National Union of Students. pic.twitter.com/4ELuOzTkUk

— H.E.T. (@HolocaustUK) January 12, 2023

Jewish community leaders have also reacted with horror at the "unacceptable reality" of antisemitism that Jewish students have faced, calling on the NUS to ensure that the recommendations are fully implemented.

Mark Gardner, CEO of the Community Security Trust, which provides security to the Jewish community and supports Jewish students on campus, described the report as "disturbing", adding: "It is a shocking indictment of NUS that an organisation that is supposed to uphold the highest standards of anti-racism and equality has ended up creating what Tuck called a 'hostile environment' for Jewish students."

Karen Pollock, CEO of the Holocaust Educational Trust, said: "For generations, they have been subjected to hostility, harassment, and a lack of representation within NUS spaces. It is now imperative that NUS takes this opportunity to collaborate with the Union of Jewish Students and implement the essential changes."

This report in the NUS shows a litany of failures by the organisation with regards to Jewish students. As the report itself makes clear, this is far from the first time that an investigation into NUS attitudes towards Jewish members has been undertaken. #NUS #antisemitism https://t.co/LwdA6c2NKN pic.twitter.com/O5HNGqW3wF

— Board of Deputies of British Jews (@BoardofDeputies) January 12, 2023

The Board of Deputies said the report shows a "litany of failures" by the organisation, that it treated Jewish students "with apathy at best and hostility at worst", and called on the NUS to work with the UJS to implement the recommendations in full.

And Co-CEO of the Jewish Leadership Council Claudia Mendoza described it as a "sad indictment" of the "hostile environment" in NUS, adding: "It makes clear that this culture of antisemitism is not new within NUS and, indeed, previous reports investigating this problem have been consistently ignored. This is an opportunity for NUS to work with the Union of Jewish Students and seek a fundamental change in its culture."