PRESS RELEASE
British Palestinian Committee (BPC) statement regarding report into allegations of antisemitism in the National Union of Students
London, January 12, 2023 – Having cited deep concerns about the direction of this investigation process from the outset, we are nonetheless dismayed by the substance and tenor of the report published today.
The report purportedly focuses solely on antisemitism within the NUS, yet makes reference to issues pertaining to Palestine throughout almost the entirety of its 124 pages without quoting a single Palestinian voice or experience.
“I have no doubt that Palestinian students and British Palestinians up and down the country will be left feeling utterly betrayed. What could have been an opportunity for the NUS to robustly assert both the importance of addressing antisemitism and the rights of the Palestinian people, as part of the same overarching commitment to antiracism, has been squandered,” said Sara Husseini, BPC’s Director.
The investigator dismisses fears raised in relation to the silencing of Palesinians and advocates of Palestinian rights, by simplistically portraying the “chilling effect” as pertaining to “pro-Palestinian activists who fear allegations of antisemitism”, with only one passing acknowledgement of the ‘distress’ caused to individuals accused and exonerated.
There is no reference, in any part of the report, to the additional layer of trauma caused to Palestinians who feel unable to speak to their daily lived experiences of Israeli oppression. In the wake of the deadliest year for Palestinians in the occupied West Bank since 2005, thousands upon thousands killed in Gaza during that same period, and the recent election of the most extremist right-wing Israeli government in the state’s 74-year history, this omission is particularly shocking.
In this context, recommendations promoting education and training on how to ‘debate’ the issue of Palestine-Israel are woefully inappropriate and diversionary. It is hard to imagine another context in which a group subjected to ongoing colonialism, oppression, and apartheid would be effectively told that their lives, rights, and experiences are up for ‘debate’.
The BPC will continue to engage on this issue in the coming days and weeks.
For more information or media enquiries: info@britpalcommittee.co.uk
The British Palestinian Committee is an independent organisation working to ensure that British Palestinian perspectives are integral to public discourse and policy making on Palestine.
“I have no doubt that Palestinian students and British Palestinians up and down the country will be left feeling utterly betrayed. What could have been an opportunity for the NUS to robustly assert both the importance of addressing antisemitism and the rights of the Palestinian people, as part of the same overarching commitment to antiracism, has been squandered.”
— Dr. Sara Husseini, Director, British Palestinian Committee.