The UK’s National Union of Students (NUS) has been dogged by accusations of antisemitism. This is not the way to reassure us it is not really a thing.
Oh dear. Over the past few years, the National Union of Students has found itself in the headlines over the union’s relationship with Jewish students. When Malia Bouattia was elected NUS president in 2016, three vice presidents of the NUS accused their president of ‘anti-Semitic rhetoric’ – with Bouattia referring to Birmingham University as a ‘Zionist outpost’. An internal report later ruled that she should not be punished despite making comments found to be anti-Semitic. What’s more, a report just last year found that many Jewish students ‘do not feel their institution understands their needs’.
Since then – and with a new president now at the helm – there has been talk of a new era in campus relations after NUS officers held talks with a Jewish student leader.
So, Mr S was curious to learn of a survey sent to students this week. The NUS survey is part of a drive by the union to undertake research to understand the experiences of Muslim students in further and higher education. In order to make sure those surveyed are eligible, students are asked to pick their religion from a list of options.
However, while Christian, Buddhist, Agnostic, Sikh, Athiest and Hindu are all listed, ‘Jewish’ appears to be missing:
Update: She’s pissed?
I suspect some of those piercings penetrated her brain.
