The head of the National Union of Students is suspended pending an inquiry into an alleged “anti-Jewish insult.”
In April, Shaima Dallali resigned after an inquiry was initiated.
In a 2012 tweet, she reproduced a historical war cry used against Jews
She wrote: ‘Khaybar Khaybar O Jews… The army of Muhammad will return Gaza’
Since then, the 27-year-old has apologized, claiming she is a “changed person.”
Last night, it became known that the president of the National Union of Students had been suspended for suspected anti-Semitism.
In April, Shaima Dallali resigned from her position after a probe into ‘very severe’ charges.
It occurs only months after the government severed relations with the organization over anti-Semitic concerns. It is believed that this is the first occasion in the 100-year history of the organization that a president has been suspended. Jewish pupils took exception to a 2012 tweet by Miss Dallali in which she posted a war cry that has traditionally been used to harm Jews.
Miss Dallali penned, “Khaybar Khaybar, O Jews… Muhammad’s army will reclaim Gaza.” Since then, the 27-year-old has apologized for the remark, stating that she is “a changed person.”
In April, Shaima Dallali resigned from her position after an inquiry into “very severe” charges.
In April, when the inquiry was announced, she told The Guardian, “The investigation is the correct thing to do.” I am aware that many Jewish students feel alone.
This is the first step in bridging the divide, reaching out to Jewish students, and ensuring that they feel welcome in the NUS, therefore I applaud it.
The NUS president, who will serve a two-year term, has also been criticized for fundraising for an anti-Semitic organization and disrupting a presentation by a former Israeli politician at King’s College London.
Her suspension follows the May severing of relations between the government and the union.
The then-education secretary, Nadhim Zahawi, expressed’serious worry’ about the amount of anti-Semitism allegations related to the NUS.
He continued, “Jewish students must have faith that this organization represents them, and we must ensure that the student organizations with whom we interact speak properly for all students.”
A spokesperson for the NUS said, “We cannot comment at this moment while we are conducting an inquiry.” However, we are willing to take any and all advised steps.