The Federation of Student Islamic Societies has called on Muslim students to boycott the National Union of Students after it sacked its president, Shaima Dallali, following an investigation into antisemitism allegations against her.
The pro-Israel Jewish Chronicle broke the story earlier today before an official announcement had been made and before Dallali had been informed.
It said an NUS disciplinary panel has concluded that Dallali, who is an outspoken defender of Palestinian rights, should be removed from her post after reviewing the recommendations of KC Rebecca Tuck’s report into the allegations.
FOSIS issued the following statement after Dallali’s sacking:
Meanwhile, Dallali, who is expected to come out with a full statement through her solicitors tomorrow, tweeted:
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On the other hand, the Union of Jewish Students said it “respects the decision of the NUS to dismiss their president.”
They added:”Antisemitism in the student movement goes beyond the actions of any one individual and this case is a symptom of wider problem. Jewish students across the country will be asking how an individual deemed unfit for office by NUS was elected in the first place. We await the findings of the substantive inquiry into NUS’s treatment of Jewish students.”
In March this year the National Union of Students elected Shaima Dallali as its new president at its annual conference in Liverpool.
Dallali, who is of Sudanese-Tunisian heritage, was elected for a two-year term.
At the time she said: “I am immensely proud and humbled to have been elected NUS National President. Access to Education is a right that should be available to everyone regardless of who they are and where they’re from.
“Fighting to challenge injustices is central to our vision as students and with the support of grassroots organisations, we have the opportunity to challenge institutional frameworks that seek to limit the accessibility and experience of students and staff in education.”
But in May the government cut ties with the NUS over “concerns of antisemitism” after Jewish students took offence to a 2012 tweet in which Ms Dallali wrote: “Khaybar Khaybar O Jews… Muhammad’s army will return Gaza.”
The 27-year-old has since apologised for the tweet, saying she is now “a different person.”
