NUS president suspended during investigation into antisemitism claims
Shaima Dallali has been suspended from her role while QC Rebecca Tuck completes inquiry into antisemitism within the National Union of Students - but Muslim student body brands decision 'Islamophobic'
Lee Harpin is the Jewish News's political editor
The National Union of Students (NUS) has suspended its president Shaima Dallali while an independent investigation into allegations of antisemitism within the student body is completed.
Dalali’s suspension came after the conclusion of the first part of an inquiry carried out by the QC Rebecca Tuck QC into claims of discrimination against Jewish students.
Sources told Jewish News that the suspension was not part of any disciplinary action, but was viewed as being “appropriate” at this stage of the investigation.
Any sanctions against Dalali can be considered at the end of Tuck’s inquiry, which is still to look at the institutional record of the NUS.
An NUS spokesperson: “We cannot comment at this time as we are in the middle of an independent QC-led investigation into allegations of antisemitism. But as we have said before, we are prepared to take any and all actions recommended by Rebecca Tuck QC’s investigation.”
But the move – the first time an elected president of the NUS has been suspended in the body’s 100 year history – has sparked an immediate response from the Federation of Student Islamic Societies (Fosis), the national body for Muslim students in Britain.
They issued a statement on Friday threatening to launch a disaffiliation campaign against the NUS after the suspension of Dallali.
Fosis said the NUS had a track record of failing to help Muslim students acting in elected positions within the organisation and student unions across the country.
They added:”What Shaima is experiencing is a clear extension of institutional Islamophobia within the education sector, and it is apparent that NUS’ attitude towards Shaima is a manifestation of this oppression.”
Jewish News had previously reported how in a 2012 tweet Dallali shared an Islamic battle cry historically used when attacking Jews.
She wrote: “Khaybar Khaybar O Jews… Muhammad’s army will return Gaza.” The 27-year-old later apologised for the tweet, saying she is “a different person”.
Dallali had also opposed the IHRA definition of antisemitism at City University, where she was previously student president.
Her suspension comes after the Government cut ties with the NUS in May.
The then-education secretary Nadhim Zahawi said he was “seriously concerned’”at the number of reports of alleged antisemitism linked to the NUS at the time.
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
