"Glasgow University Students' Representative's Council (GUSRC) is aware of recent media attention regarding the Glasgow University's Justice for Palestine campaign "Zionists off Campus” and the subsequent misrepresentation of the SRC’s position.
The SRC will not allow its decisions to be misrepresented, its independence to be undermined, or its commitment to equality and freedom of political expression to be used to advance the agendas of external organisations.
GUSRC has received four constitutional amendments seeking to include Zionism as a ground of unlawful discrimination in their Equal Opportunities statement.
GUSRC has not approved and cannot approve any Constitutional measures of this nature. This decision is based on a longstanding application of equal opportunities requirements, not a policy adopted in response to external pressure. All four societies concerned have now been informed that the proposed amendments will not be approved.
Any suggestion that the SRC reached or changed its position as a consequence of UKLFI's intervention is therefore entirely unfounded. We reject attempts by UKLFI or any other external organisation to claim our independently reached decisions as political victories or to attribute positions to the SRC who we have not adopted.
GUSRC reminds clubs and societies of their right to engage in lawful debate or political campaigning including campaigns. However, societal constitutions must uphold equal opportunities for all students and must not establish ideological bars for membership of participation.
This decision does not represent an endorsement of Zionism, acceptance of the UKLFI’s wider political or legal arguments, or opposition to legitimate political criticism of Zionism. Instead, a decision taken on the current recognised grounds of lawful discrimination which we operate under.
GUSRC is deeply concerned at attempts to intimidate or discourage students from engaging in lawful campaigning, including through demands that individuals or societies be identified because of political activities. GUSRC will not comply with these demands.
Yesterday, Amnesty International published their report titled “Silencing Dissent: UK Universities’ response to Palestinian Solidarity on Campus.” The report revealed UK Universities' disturbing crackdown on Palestinian activism.
GUSRC is committed to defending lawful dissent and protest on campus. Clubs and Societies at the University of Glasgow have the freedom to discuss ideologies and validly conclude that “Zionism is Racism.”
The press reaction and calls to identify the clubs and societies or protestors in support of the amendment provides yet another example of the subjugation of dissent and Palestinian activism detailed in Amnesty International's report.
GUSRC has always proudly stood in solidarity with Palestine. Neither pressure from UKLFI nor representations from other organisations will diminish our commitment to Palestinian rights or weaken our defence of students’ freedom to campaign for them.
From our Council in November 2023 condemning the long-standing “system of apartheid” enforced on Palestinian people by the Israeli government. To our continued lobbying against the University to divest from the arms and defence industry. To our recent opposition to the Defence Universities Alliance and the heightened militarisation of UK Universities.
We have continually condemned the University’s complicity in the ongoing genocide in Gaza. Threats from UK Lawyers for Israel and other groups will not dissuade our resolute solidarity with Palestine.
GUSRC speaks for itself. Our decisions will be taken independently, our principles will not be compromised, and our solidarity with Palestine will not be determined by external pressure."