We, the undersigned, are a collective of past and present sabbatical officers, student leaders, activists and academics coming together to express our complete, continued, and unapologetic solidarity with London School….
We, the undersigned, are a collective of past and present sabbatical officers, student leaders, activists and academics coming together to express our complete, continued, and unapologetic solidarity with London School of Economics (LSE) students in protesting against the on-campus appearance of Israeli ambassador to the UK, Tzipi Hotovely. We also condemn all efforts to delegitimise the right to freedom to protest and speech.
Hotovely has a well-documented history of Nakba denial, describing the expulsion of over 700,000 Palestinians in 1948 as a “very popular Arab lie.” She has made her abhorrent, racist views on Palestinians and Arabs apparent.
Inviting speakers that show a blatant disregard for the safety and welfare of Palestinian students sets a dangerous precedent in higher education. It normalises anti-Palestinian racism and dismisses the lived experiences of Palestinian students and academics, as well as Israeli state violence and apartheid. It is imperative that students’ unions and universities resist such attempts.
Politicians, including the Home Secretary, Minister for Education, and the Leader of the Opposition have tried to undermine the students’ right to protest. Despite this intimidation we stand with them as they take a stand against the racist anti-Palestinian and an pro-apartheid sentiment that accompanies Hotovely. It is incredibly disturbing and shameful that leading politicians of both main political parties have resorted to baseless smears and allying themselves with someone who holds violently racist anti-Palestinian views. It is an abdication of truth, decency and responsibility.
The student’s right to protest against activity taking place on their campus is a democratic right that must be protected and respected. We condemn the interference of government personalities in student politics. The scare tactics used by MPs and the increased securitisation of the state through Prevent and the recent Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill should not stifle our freedom to protest against racist oppressions. We will continue to resist a racist settler colonial project and we will not be silenced.
We implore the student and wider trade union movement to continue to stand firm with the Palestinian people and to continue to affirm that this movement must have anti-racist, anti-colonial, and anti-fascist politics at its core to ensure that we are able to build a society that is free from injustice.
We encourage sabbatical officers, past and present, student leaders, activists, and academics to sign this statement in show of solidarity with the student protesters at LSE and in support of the right to challenge human rights abuses and injustices and those who uphold them.
Signed,
1. Shaima Dallali, Vice President (VP) Community & Wellbeing and President, 2020-2022, City University of London Students’ Union
2. Aatika Ayoub, President, 2021-2022, Greenwich Students’ Union
3. Sara Bafo, Welfare and Liberation Officer and President, 2020-2022, Goldsmiths Students’ Union
4. Shahd Haj Khalil, VP Community & Wellbeing, 2021-2022, City University of London Students’ Union
5. Larissa Kennedy, President, 2020-2022, National Union of Students (NUS)
6. Hafsa Haji, Welfare and Liberation Officer, 2021-2022, Goldsmiths Students’ Union
7. Ijlal Khalid, Federation of Student Islamic Societies (FOSIS) President, 2021-2022 and Society & Citizenship Officer, 2019-2021, University of Sussex Students’ Union
8. Muna Ali, FOSIS VP Student Affairs, 2021-2022 and VP Activities and Development, 2019-2021, Union of Kingston Students
9. Ayo Olatunji, FOSIS VP Student Affairs, 2020 and BME Officer, 2017-2018, University College London Students Union
10. Adnan Rahman, Education Officer, 2019-2021, University of Leicester Students’ Union
11. Saynab Sharif, Vice President HSS, 2021-2022, Queen Mary Students’ Union
12. Saqlain Riaz, VP Education and President, 2019-2021, City University of London Students’ Union
13. Mona Mounir, Welfare and Liberation Officer, 2018-2020, Goldsmiths Students’ Union
14. Alisha Rehmatullah, Media Officer, 2018-2019, University of Leicester Palestine Society
15. Azza Abdulla, Education Officer, 2017-2019, University of Leicester Students’ Union
16. Ayrton Magaia, Liberation Officer, 2019-2021, University of Leicester Students’ Union
17. Oge Obioha, Wellbeing Officer and President, 2018-2020, University of Leicester Students’ Union
18. Adi Sawalha, President, 2021-2022, Queen Mary Students’ Union
19. Muneer Hussain, VP Welfare, 2021-2022, Queen Mary Students’ Union
20. Akanksha Mehta, Lecturer, Goldsmiths, University of London
21. Alizeh Abrar, VP Postgraduate Education, 2021-2022, University of Westminster Students’ Union
22. Ruqaiyah Javaid, VP Education, 2021-2022, City University of London Students’ Union
23. Shuma Begum, Student, Goldsmiths, University of London
24. Maria Riga, Student Rep, Goldsmiths, University of London
25. Paola Debellis Alvarez, Student Rep, Goldsmiths, University of London
26. Tor Ayrton, Student Rep, Goldsmiths, University of London
27. Lars Oscar Ohrvik-Stott, Student Rep, Goldsmiths, University of London
28. Zahra Khan, Student Rep, City of Glasgow College
29. Maryam Rana, Student, Goldsmiths, University of London
30. Ankunda, Co-President Activities and Events, 2021-2022, SOAS Students’ Union
31. Ella Spencer, Co-President for Welfare and Campaigns, 2021-2022, SOAS Students’ Union
32. Amr Alwishah, VP Welfare & Campaigns, 2018-2019, Cardiff University Students’ Union
33. Abeda Khan, Student, Goldsmiths, University of London
34. Sarah Reading, Student Rep, University of Westminster
35. Brooklyn Saunders, Student, Goldsmiths, University of London
36. Zoe Larkham, Student Rep, Sheffield Hallam University
37. Abada El Joulani, Head of Palestine Society, 2021-2022, Brunel University
38. Bianca Griffani, Student Rep, Goldsmiths, University of London
39. Zoe Campbell, 2020-2022, Greenwich Students’ Union Officer
40. Rachael Holliday, Student Rep, Goldsmiths, University of London
41. Sumiyo Omar, Academic, Goldsmiths, University of London
42. Andreea Midvighi, PhD Candidate, University of Basel
43. Ibrahim Njoum, Student Rep, Albert Ludwig University of Freiburg
44. Andrew Delatolla, Lecturer, Leeds University
45. Mohamed Salhi, Education Officer, 2018-2019, King’s College London Students’ Union
46. Maryam Abidi, Academic, Goldsmiths, University of London
47. Symran Saggar, Student Rep, Queen Mary University of London
48. Mayesha Tabassum, Student, Goldsmiths, University of London
49. Tahmina Choudhery, VP Professional and Social Sciences, 2019-2021, Middlesex University Students’ Union
50. Fawziyah Anhum, Student, Goldsmiths, University of London
51. Oscar Hadwin, Student Rep, Goldsmiths, University of London
52. Zain Ul Abdin, Sports and Activities Officer, 2020-2021, University of Bradford Students’ Union
53. ****
54. Tori Anderson, Red Square Movement and Marxist Student Federation
55. Yasmin Elsouda, Co-President Welfare & Campaigns, 2020-2021, SOAS Students’ Union
56. Jamal Bannourah, Student, Freiburg University
57. Tara Gold, VP Education, 2021-2022, Edinburgh University Students’ Association
58. Charlotte Squire, Student Rep, Goldsmiths, University of London
59. Nele Leitolf, 2021-2022, Greenwich Students’ Union Officer
60. Safaa Mohajeri, Academic, Palestine Speaks
61. Michelle Francis, Student Rep, Bangor University
62. Omar Abdelqader, PhD Researcher, University College London
63. Lubaba Khalid, VP Welfare, 2019-2021, University of Westminster Students’ Union
64. Nazia Bharde, VP Activities and Development, 2018-2019, City University of London Students’ Union
65. Sohaib Alqasarwa, Student, Technical University of Braunschweig
66. Tarek Younis, Academic, Middlesex University
67. Sara Chowdhury, Student, Goldsmiths, University of London
68. Merve Aleri, Student, Goldsmiths, University of London
69. Rafaela Nicolay, Student, Goldsmiths, University of London
70. Karam Abdul Nour, Student Rep, University of Veterinary Medicine, Hannover
71. Yasinur Rashid Jabed, 2021-2022, Greenwich Students’ Union Officer
72. Jannatul Ferdous, VP Welfare and Equalities, 2020-2022, London South Bank Students’ Union
73. Khalid Al-Tamimy, President of the Islamic Society, 2021-2022, Queen Mary Students’ Union
74. Louica Old, Student Rep, Homboldt University of Berlin
75. Ahmed El Hana, President, 2021-2022, St Mary’s University Students’ Union
76. Adam Abdalla, Student Union Officer, 2021-2022, St Anthony’s College, University of Oxford and Co-President of Leeds PSG, 2019-2021
77. Jude Jabali, Lead Student Rep, University College London
78. Kareem Samara, Student Rep, Goldsmiths, University of London
79. Samira Abdalla, BME Officer, 2018-2019, University College London Students’ Union
80. Lara Fricke, President of Exeter Friends of Palestine, 2021-2022, University of Exeter
81. Mahmudur Rahman, Democracy, Operations and Community Officer, 2021-2022, University College London Students Union
82. Sarah Al-Aride, Education Officer, 2017-2018, University College London Students’ Union
83. Lisa Luxx, Student Rep, Goldsmiths, University of London
84. Hazel Davis, Student Rep, Goldsmiths, University of London
85. Edain Bradley, Goldsmiths Anti-Imperialist Society, Goldsmiths, University of London
86. Aiysha Qureshi, Welfare and International Officer, 2017-2018, University College London Students’ Union
87. Ella Asheri, Undergraduate Education Officer, 2018-2019, University of Sussex Students’ Union
88. Ash Morgan, VP Further Education, 2019-2021, Highlands and Islands Students’ Association
89. Howard Chae, BME Officer, 2020-2021, Cambridge University Students’ Union
90. Tara Povey, Lecturer, Goldsmiths, University of London and Co-President, Goldsmiths University & College Union (UCU)
91. Zahra Syed, President, 2021-2022, King’s College London Students’ Union
92. Madeleine G Tillyard, Associate Lecturer, Goldsmiths, University of London
93. Jakir Ahmed, FOSIS London Chair, 2021-2022
94. Joel Butterworth, President of the Left Society, 2021-2022, University of Nottingham
95. Brad Ewles, Postgraduate Officer, 2021-2022, University of Nottingham Students’ Union
96. Asif Khapedi, Student Rep, King’s College London
97. Nadia Hafedh, Former President of Decolonise QMUL
98. Sultan Chaudhury, Sabbatical Officer, Liberation Officer, University of Nottingham Students’ Union, 2021/22
99. Hatty Ruddick, Former PT Officer and NUS Rep Manchester SU Womens’ Officer, NUS National Scrutiny Council 2019-2021
100. Annie Goh, Academic, Lecturer, University of Arts London & UAL UCU Equalities Rep
101. Bilge Kacmaz Sabbatical Officer, Vice President for science and engineering, 2021-2022
102. Mehmet Ugur, Academic, Professor of Economics and Institutions
103. Abdullah Okud, Former Sabbatical Officer, President, Sheffield, Hallam Students Union, 2018/19
104. Sabrina Shah, Former Sabbatical Officer, SOAS Students’ Union, 2020/21
105. Azmain iftekhar Student Activist or Student Representative School Representative of School of Economics and Finance, QMSU
106. Mahnoor Rao, Student Activist or Student Representative, FOSIS Midlands Chair, 2021-22
107. Rahma Hegy, Student Activist or Student Representative, BL Preclinical Rep
108. Aida Hassan, Academic, PhD Student, Queen Mary University of London
109. Maisan Maseeh Student Activist or Student Representative SAC Lead, KCL Islamic Society
110. Abdullah Imran Student Activist or Student Representative FOSIS Wales & West England Chair
111. Ellen Bean, Student Activist or Student Representative, KCLSU Disabled Students’ Network Co-Chair 2021/2022
112. Rahila Haque, Student Activist or Student Representative, Student, University of the Arts London
113. Najim Abdallah, FOSIS Ireland Chair , Dublin City University
114. Asmaa Elsouda Student Activist or Student Representative, President of Action for Palestine, University of Warwick
115. Lukas Slothuus, Sabbatical Officer, Community and Welfare Officer, LSESU, 2011-12
116. Jeff Powell, Academic, Senior Lecturer, University of Greenwich
117. Safia Muhyiddin, Student Activist or Student Representative VP Further Education, FOSIS, 20-21
118. Ashok Kumar, Sabbatical Officer, Education Officer, LSE 2010-2011
119. Shakira Akther, Former Sabbatical Officer, UELSU, 2011-2012
120. Maryam Zaman, Widening Access Officer, University of Hertfordshire
121. Aaron Williams, Student Trustee, 2021-2022, University of Sussex Students’ Union
122. Dilara Altun, Student Rep, King’s College London
123. Rahul Prasad, Lecturer, Goldsmiths, University of London
124. Vincent Moystad, Associate Lecturer, Goldsmiths, University of London
125. Tuba Cetin, Student Rep, Goldsmiths, University of London
126. Hisham Parchment, Co-President Equality and Liberation, 2021-2022, SOAS Students’ Union
127. Lucia Rodriguez, Co-President Democracy and Education, 2021-2022, SOAS Students’ Union
128. Samira Azir, VP Welfare, 2021-2022, University of Westminster Students’ Union
129. Saleh Fahd, Student Rep, University College London
130. Syahadah Shahril, Campaigns Officer, 2021-2022, Arts Students’ Union
131. Ramisa Ahmed, Associate Lecturer, Goldsmiths, University of London
132. Emma Kennedy, Senior Lecturer, Goldsmiths, University of London
133. Tahseen Roheemun, Islamic Society Officer Rep, 2021-2022, FOSIS
134. Muna Dajani, Senior Research Associate, Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University
135. Lauren Corelli, Education Officer and President, 2019-2021, Goldsmiths Students’ Union
136. Matthew Lee, Student Rep, LSE
137. Chaima Allali, President of the University of Leicester Palestine Society, 2018-2019
138. Sonya Onwu, Academic, LSE
139. Dominic Holland, Researcher, Nottingham Trent University
140. Lila Tamea, VP Education and President, 2019-2021, John Moores Students’ Union
141. James Eastwood, Senior Lecturer and UCU Branch Chair, Queen Mary University of London
142. Omer Shuster, Researcher, Hebrew University of Jerusalem
143. Layth Hanbali, Union Chair, 2012-2013, University College London Students’ Union