The National Union of Students – which represents 7 million students in the UK – have voted to condemn Israel’s murderous assault on Gaza, demand the siege on Gaza is lifted, demand the UK government stop arming Israel and call upon the student movement to boycott companies and corporations that facilitate Israel’s military capacity, human rights abuses and illegal settlement activity.
The vote to condemn the Israeli attack on Gaza was unanimous. The vote in support of boycotts, divestment and sanctions, saw 23 members vote in favour to 18 against by the NUS National Executive Council – this represents a further breakthrough in the student solidarity movement for Palestine.
Malia Bouattia, NUS Black Students’ Officer, and key proposer of the motions described the recent decision as a ‘long awaited victory’ and said that she was ‘proud to be part of succession of Black Students Officers that have consistently and unequivocally campaigned for the freedom of Palestine, and now finally won the debate within the NUS.’
She added ‘now that the NUS has finally passed this progressive policy we have a lot to celebrate. However in the same breath there is much more work to be done. The past resistance of the NUS to support this campaign means that we will have to push for complete implementation. Moreover there are those within and outside of the student movement that still refuse to see the plight of the Palestinians for what it is.’
On Saturday 9 August, 150,000 marched from BBC Broadcasting House to Hyde Park, passing the US Embassy on the way.
