Resignation speech of Jewish members of the National Union of Students Executive committee at National Union of Students conference

Conference,

I want five minutes, and I need silence.

Some of you still remember five years ago at my first conference when I stood front and centre as a student having to address the floor after being spat at because I was Jewish. I was unanimously supported and applauded. Not one person stayed seated. I mistakenly believed I had a place in my national union.

Some of you may remember five, four, three and two years ago, when Jewish students had to be escorted from the building by the back door for fear of their safety.

Conference, this year, I have seen Jews accused of conspiring to write, submit and debate motions we had no part in, by full time members of the NEC.

This year, I have suffered baseless accusations of NUS being pro-Jewish and therefore biased because I tackled antisemitism where it stood. There was no defence of Jewish students by NEC members who heard those claims. This year, a comment was made in a Student Union meeting saying that burning down a synagogue is a rational act; when asked to comment NEC members could not even bring themselves to condemn that statement.

Over five months ago serious complaints were lodged about antisemitic comments made by an NEC member in a public meeting; there is yet to be any form of official response to these complaints.

When it was rumoured that I, a Jewish student, was standing for the NUS Presidency - whispers of antisemitism were used as a political football. Conference, while I accuse no one of antisemitism, this year NUS has been a bystander to Jew Hatred. In the past three days, at the heart of our democratic union, to my horror, I have seen the events of the year replayed...

...At the beginning of this conference I stood here and warned you against the BNP presence in Blackpool. But it is within these walls I feel most afraid.

We have talked for the past three days about NUS' values of equality, diversity and respect. In practice this could not be further from the truth.

Having placed their beliefs and trust in the national union, Jewish students expected, as promised, their religious requirements of kosher food to be met. Not only have they been betrayed by the non-existent provision, they have been betrayed by the reticence to do anything about it.

If anyone were to stand up here and allege the Jews are an evil manipulative people who want to control the world, there would no doubt follow rounds of furious speeches supported by endless clapping. Conference, I hold in my hand a leaflet which was readily available on one of the stalls in this building for two days, which alleged just that.

While factions have come under attack at this conference, there are two organisations, from distant parts of the political spectrum I wish to thank publicly for choosing principles over politics. Representatives and members of the National Organisation of Labour Students and the Alliance for Workers Liberty have proactively engaged against institutionalised apathy in NUS and stood by Jewish students when they have come under attack.

And to the bystanders I say this: Antisemitism is no different from any other form of discrimination. Whilst others turn a blind eye, Jewish students will stand strong. I am proud and pleased to say that the leadership and members of the Union of Jewish Students will be pounding down on the door of NUS. In the past, people have attacked the role of UJS in this national union, alluding to Jewish conspiracies and excessive power. Leaving distasteful antisemitic images aside, there are reasons why UJS has sought influence and representation in this national union. There was a time, not long ago, when my predecessors in UJS were pelted with missiles from balconies up there; there was a time when our Jewish societies were banned from campuses around the country to the applause and support of NUS national conferences held in this very hall. It is my sincere hope that the events of this past year, and especially these past few days, do not signal a return to the politics of hate in the broader student movement. UJS will not rest until NUS stops treating antisemitism as second grade racism. UJS will continue to ensure that they have a place in this movement, even if others choose to disregard it.

The leadership of NUS needs to take big decisions and choose whether Jewish students have a place in this national union. It is the leadership of NUS who must decide if they are happy to accommodate NEC members who undermine Jewish colleagues and obstruct conference policy mandating against antisemitism. It is the leadership of NUS who must decide if they will pass the buck again when antisemitism rears its ugly head. Conference, is NUS prepared to demonstrate the leadership required now, which will enable Jewish students to hold NUS positions of responsibility in the future?

Conference, I cannot and will not be a part of a National Executive Committee while some of its members continue to turn a blind eye to Jewish student suffering. I would be betraying those people who elected me to represent them. Therefore I, alongside my Jewish colleagues Mitch Simmons and Jonny Warren of steering, officially resign from our NUS posts.

Do not follow us out of this room. We do not want your empty gestures of support. I would hope in the next year that you the membership don't just hear this message, but listen and demand from your leadership that they stop hiding behind procedure and bureaucracy and face up to the fact that through their inaction they have created a vacuum where Jewish students do not count. No more talk of empty buzzwords. I hope that by this time next year, NUS' principles of equality, diversity and respect for all students are enacted.

Luciana Berger
Former NUS National Executive Committee Member
Co-convener of the Anti-Racism/Anti-Fascism Campaign