8 May 2024
StandWithUs UK is alarmed by the decision to pay tens of thousands of pounds to Shaima Dallali, a former president of the National Union of Students who was sacked due to antisemitic comments. The decision shows, above all, that antisemitism pays off.
The fact that the NUS sees anti-Zionism and Zionism as equally needing to be protected reveals the extent of ignorance and lack of education within the NUS. Zionism is a national movement that does not exclude other nationals. Anti-Zionism is an antisemitic movement that acts to eliminate Israel and turn it into Judenrein territory - clean from Jews.
The position NUS has taken will simply invigorate those who wish to demonise and call for the destruction of the only Jewish state in the world under the guise of free speech.
In today's current climate, when an unprecedented wave of antisemitism is sweeping university campuses in the US and the UK because of people like Dallali, the decision to compensate her after spreading hate is even more appalling and serves as an incentive for others to harass and humiliate Jewish students.
Read more in this Jewish Chronicle Article.
About StandWithUs UK:
StandWithUs is an international, non-profit and non-partisan Israel education organisation that works to inspire and educate people of all ages about Israel, as well as challenge misinformation and fight against antisemitism. Founded in 2010, StandWithUs UK has become a recognised support system and leading resource for students on UK campuses. We empower and energise students and communities with leadership training and educational programmes on both school and university campuses. StandWithUs informs through social media, printed materials, digital platforms, film and newsletters. The StandWithUs flagship Emerson Fellowship programme seeks to raise students into future leaders, equipped to stand strong in the face of antisemitism and anti-Zionism. We believe in the right of the Jewish People to self-determination in their historic homeland of Israel. We educate the facts in an unbiased and holistic manner, with an open mind, reflecting on views from all sides of the political, social and humanitarian spectrum whilst promoting peace. StandWithUs UK believe the current discourse surrounding Israel on campus all too often crosses the line between legitimate criticism of Israel’s policies and the dangerous, mainstream, antisemitic rhetoric which stands contrary to the IHRA definition of antisemitism. We work to educate on that distinction, encourage civil discourse on legitimate criticism of Israel, and to fight antisemitism wherever it emerges.
