NUS dismisses president amid antisemitism allegations

Jac Williams Contributor

On 1 November, the president of the National Union of Students (NUS), Shaima Dallali, was removed from the role following an investigation into the antisemitism allegations that found “signi cant breaches of NUS policies.” Dallali’s dismissal was result of an NUS independent investigation into antisemitism which included the uncovering of a 2012 tweet that referenced a historical massacre of Jews. Dallali’s dismissal is the rst time in the NUS’s hundred year history that a president has been ousted.

In a statement published on their website, the NUS said, ‘‘Following the independent KC-led investigation into allegations of antisemitism, speci cally into the then-President Elect under the NUS Code of Conduct, an independent panel has found that signi cant breaches of NUS’ policies have taken place. As per this nding, we have ter- minated the President’s contract. e decision of the panel may be subject to an appeal.’

“In strict accordance with rules around employees and con dentiality, we will not be sharing any further details on the investigation into the President. We can assure any interested parties that this process has been incredibly robust and that we can and must trust in the outcome. ’’

Since her dismissal, Dallali has began legal action against the NUS. A statement released by her solicitors said, “Ms Dallali rejects the ndings of the disciplinary panel, as she rejected the allegations about her that were investigated in the context of those investigations.

“ ese allegations are based on tweets that have resurfaced dating back from 2012, with one post including a chant referring to the battle of Khaybar that led to the massacre of Jewish people in AD628. However, the statement maintained that “the other tweets for which she had been criticised (and all of which pre-dated her election to her NUS role) were not antisemitic.”

Dallali has since apologised for the resurfaced tweets. On 23 March, she tweeted, “Earlier today, I was made aware of a tweet I posted 10 years ago. During Israel’s assault on Gaza in 2012. I referenced the battle of Khayber, in which Muslim and Jewish armies fought. I was wrong to see the Palestine conict as one between Muslims and Jews. is reference I made as a teenager was unacceptable, and I sincerely & unreservedly apologise.”

On 18 May, amid mounting pressure from student groups and the government, the NUS asked Rebecca Tuck KC to lead an independent inquiry into allegations of antisemitism against the organisation, due to be published at the end of this year. e Campaign Against Antisemitism has welcomed the inquiry, calling it a “promising rst step”, but were quick to stress that this problem goes far beyond Ms Dallali’s personal views and her short-lived presidency. e Union of Jewish Students described the allegations of antisemitism against Ms Dal- lali a “symptom of a wider problem” in the NUS.

Coinciding with the investigation, the NUS has faced allegations of islamophobia due to the treatment of Ms Dallali. e Federation of Student Islamic Societies (FOSIS) have raised the issue that the ‘‘National Union of Students (NUS) has dismissed its Muslim President via leaked stories to newspapers. is is disgraceful and unacceptable.’’ eir statement continued, ‘‘ e investigation into Shaima has been deeply politicised from the outset, and due process has not been followed, opening Shaima up to the court of public opinion and denying her the opportunity to fairly represent herself.’’

In May 2022, amid the controversy surrounding Ms Dallali’s election, Nadhim Zahawi, the education secretary at the time, announced that the government would suspend engagement with the NUS and remove its funding. e government has also encouraged other student bodies “to take similar action”.

e Students’ Union charges students to use venues

Mastura Omar Staff Writer

Illustrated by Charlie To

Last academic year, the LSE Students’ Union (LSESU) decided to change its policy regarding weekend room bookings on campus for LSESU societies. Unlike previous years when weekend room bookings were free of charge, this year LSESU Societies are required to pay a fee for this service. e Beaver is due to verify the exact costs of these bookings.

e Beaver asked the LSESU Drama Society for a comment on their experience. Lara

Arencibia Pender, President of LSESU Drama Society commented, “ e [LSESUs] deci- sion to charge for the Venue on weekends has impacted the way the society can operate to put on events, in particular by increasing pressure to re-organise and condense preparations, which could potentially have an e ect on the events the society o ers in future.”

Despite these changes, Pender expressed that the LSESU has been very willing to cooperate and help societies that have been greatly a ected by these changes. Pender noted that the LSESU has been ‘‘has been very receptive to our concerns, and both Sabbatical O cers and SU Sta have been very forthcoming and invested in helping the committee nd solutions. is included a signi cant compromise on the part of the SU to allow our an- nual agship event to go ahead (as we had already begun planning the event before being informed of the policy change), with a view to nding a di er- e fallout from Rebecca Tuck KC’s eagerly-awaited inquiry and Shaima Dallali’s removal as president comes within the backdrop of a cost of living crisis which threatens thousands of students, thereby tainting the NUS’ reputation and impairing its ability to e ectively lobby the government to provide greater support for students as many struggle nancially.

Chloe Field, former NUS VP who has now replaced Dallali, said, “As the cost of living crisis continues to bite, I will continue to hold the government to account and push for greater support for students… we [NUS] have developed a series of clear recommendations for the government and education institutions to ease the burden on students, and I look forward to championing them during my time at NUS.

“I am proud to ght on behalf of all of our students and therefore I am determined to work together with the Union of Jewish Students to re-establish trust in our organisation and tackle some of the biggest issues facing students right now.” ent option next year.” is is a developing story. e Beaver has reached out to more people for comment to further investigate this lead.