Oxford students block motion that would prevent Israel boycott
Oxford University Student Union has voted down a motion that would commit it to opposing boycotts of Israel.
The University’s Student Union (OUSU) voted on whether they should support “opposition to any motion aligned with Boycotts, Divestment and Sanctions at NUS (National Union of Students) Conference”.
It sought to mandate the OUSU’s delegates to both oppose aligning NUS with BDS, and for any motion rejecting the BDS movement.
It was strongly voted down by 72 votes against to 30 votes for, with 28 abstentions, allowing NUS delegates to support BDS at the conference.
A representative from Oxford University Student Union told Jewish News: “Many students have come to us and said they felt uncomfortable in the build up, during and following the debate. We will be continuing to work hard to ensure that all Jewish, Israeli, Palestinian, or any other students who feel affected feel safe at Oxford University.”
A statement from the Union of Jewish Students said: “After NUS National Executive Committee passed a BDS policy in August, many Jewish students wish for this to be turned around and it makes complete sense that many are approaching their NUS delegations to appeal for them not to support this divisive movement.”
NUS’s national conference will occur in Liverpool between 21-23 April 2015.
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.
