The announcement came after a crisis meeting Wednesday of NUS’s board, which issued a statement reiterating that there was no room for anti-Semitism within the student movement and promised to address any wrongdoing. “We hear the concerns being expressed and we are very concerned about the pain and wound being expressed,” the statement said. “We will take all necessary steps to redress any wrongdoing and rebuild trust with our Jewish students, as well as with our members, partners and stakeholders.” The announcement came as more than 20 former NUS presidents, including three former cabinet ministers, sent an unprecedented private warning to the group’s agents, urging them to address the concerns of Jewish students. Among those who signed the letter, which leaked to the Guardian, were former Cabinet Secretary Jack Straw, Charles Clark and Jim Murphy, Shadow Health Minister Wes Streeting and Labor Labor counterpart Mave Sherlock. “It is not just about protecting NUS’s reputation, but about honoring NUS’s proud anti-racism authorities,” the letter said. NUS said the investigation would cover all the public allegations made against NUS and its president-elect, Shaima Dallali, over the past two months – in particular, the decision to invite rapper Lowkey to one of his events, as well as allegations for a wider anti-Semitic culture in its ranks. “In relation to the president-elect, the independent inquiry will look at a number of comments and actions that have allegedly taken place in the last decade,” NUS said. Complaints have been made by the Jewish Students Union (UJS) about Dallali’s comments on social media, including a post from when she was a young teenager that read, “Khaybar Khaybar, Jews; Muhammad’s Army Will Return Gaza.” referring to the Massacre of 628 AD. He has since apologized for the post. In addition to the independent inquiry, NUS promised to meet regularly with the UJS to “listen to concerns, receive information and explore how we can move forward together from here.” “We will appoint an independent party with great respect to undertake the investigation and we will consult with the UJS to make an appointment,” NUS said. “Whoever is appointed must have the trust of the Jewish students.” NUS added that it had adopted the definition of anti-Semitism by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance in 2018 and that, in the recent past, it had acted against anti-Semitism by removing a member of the national council in 2018 and removing a candidate in the 2019 elections according to policies. for anti-Semitism. The chairman of the Commons education committee, Robert Halfon, called for the NUS to be investigated by the Charity Committee on the allegations. NUS replied that it was not a charity and therefore not subject to such investigation. “However, NUS willingly adheres to the highest standards,” he added. Last week, Higher Education Minister Michel Donnelan warned that the government could suspend co-operation with the union over the allegations. Donelan also called on student unions across the country to “consider confidentiality unless things improve quickly.” NUS replied: “We hope that this will not happen and that our colleagues in the government will be satisfied that we are taking prompt and appropriate measures to address the complaints.”
