Students have voted to combat anti-Jewish hatred and ban a neo-Nazi group from speaking at UK universities.
Delegates voted to “fight antisemitism” in an amendment to an anti-racism motion at the National Union of Students annual conference this week.
In a speech backing the amendment Jewish student Noah Levy from Bristol University asked why the NUS had been so meek in tackling antisemitism.
“Where was our solidarity from the student movement over the Copenhagen and Paris attacks? Why isn’t there a liberation movement in NUS for us?”
The amended motion gave the green light to NUS sabbatical officers to receive training on combating anti-Jewish hatred.
A further amendment to “no platform” far-right group National Action on campuses was also passed. Union of Jewish Students president Ella Rose said the move reaffirmed “NUS’ commitment to fighting neo-Nazism and racism”.
A scheduled vote on a motion to condemn Israel’s actions in Gaza and to back a boycott of Israeli companies failed to take place after sessions overran.
Six other motions condemning Israel, already passed by constituent student bodies, were due to be ratified by the conference.
Delegates also backed a proposal for the union to work with Cage — the campaign group linked to Islamic State terrorist Mohammed Emwazi — as part of a resolution opposing the government’s anti-terror Prevent strategy. The motion was passed without a debate.
Over 1,000 students attended the three-day conference in Liverpool, determining policy and electing union officers.
Jewish Brighton and Sussex student Dario Celaschi failed in his bid to become NUS vice-president for society and citizenship.
