A recent statement from Glasgow Against Arms & Fossil Fuels (GAAF) and the Glasgow University Justice for Palestine Society (GUJPS) has drawn criticism from students on campus, particularly over its demand for the “banning of all Zionists on campus”.
The statement was released during a one-day occupation of the Sir Charles Wilson Building on March 7, where activists blocked entrances in protest against the University’s ties to the arms industry. The groups called for full divestment from arms companies, an end to research partnerships with the sector, protections for student activists, and a ban on Zionists and arms companies from campus.
In a statement to Hillhead Review, Glasgow Jewish Society Co-President Sylvia Bergman raised specific concerns over the demand surrounding Zionists on campus, saying: “I’d like to clarify that I am against the University’s participation in arms deals and the use of capital violence. But, I would like to express my concern regarding one of the key demands from GUJPS and GAAF.
“Rhetoric calling for the banning of a political ideology from university, especially one as nuanced and diverse as Zionism, threatens fundamental principles of freedom of expression and speech.
“Zionism holds various meanings for different people. It is necessary to recognize these differing perspectives within the Jewish community itself, due to the historical and cultural contexts of the ideology.
“It is necessary to recognize these differing perspectives within the Jewish community itself, due to the historical and cultural contexts of the ideology. I understand an issue of policing the language of a political movement, but at what point do we draw the line for demands that are ultimately discriminatory and infringe on academic freedoms?
“I pose the question to GUJPS and GAFF: how do they plan to identify Zionists to achieve their removal and ban from campus? I find this to be an unachievable goal without a direct infringement of privacy on students, specifically Jewish ones.”
Bergman further expressed unease over the language used in GUJPS statements, citing terms such as “Intifada” and “down with Tel Aviv” as alienating to Jewish students:
“Additionally, I would like to highlight the concern with GUJPS’s use of the term ‘Intifada’ and ‘down with Tel Aviv’ which has been deeply unsettling and alienating to Jewish and Israeli students. While the GUJPS may not intend to harm Jewish students in their advocacy for Palestinian rights, the impact and violence of such language is being overlooked.
“[…]Ultimately, it’s crucial that we engage in dialogue that fosters understanding, respect and restoration, rather than rhetoric that risks deepening divisions.”
In an earlier statement to Hillhead Review following the occupation, the University reaffirmed its commitment to free expression while condemning harassment and discrimination:
“The University of Glasgow upholds the right to freedom of expression, including the right of staff and students to engage in peaceful demonstrations. However, we do not tolerate activities which interfere with the rights of others to go about their business in peace.
“As an institution we stand against hate or harassment of any kind. We regularly communicate with all our staff and students about the need for tolerance towards each other, and we reiterate this call for all members of our community to be respectful to each other at all times.”
When approached for comment regarding whether or not they consider a demand to “ban all Zionists” to be a violation of the Code of Student Conduct, they said: “The University fully recognises the concerns of Jewish students and senior managers are in regular contact with the University’s Jewish Society as well as with leaders of the Jewish community in Scotland.
“We have received a number of complaints from individuals who felt intimated and threatened by the recent protests on campus. The University has contacted protesting groups, challenging in particular the use of language which is likely to cause distress to other members of the University community.
“As a University we have sought to strengthen our contacts with Jewish students in recent years and to tackle antisemitism, Islamophobia or any other form of racism on campus. In particular, we engaged extensively with the office of Lord Mann as he undertook an inquiry into Jewish student experiences in Higher Education and Glasgow’s work to address antisemitism is referenced throughout Lord Mann’s report.”
The University also noted that they are committed to retaining the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of antisemitism, which they adopted in 2021. This has drawn some criticism, notably from the University’s Rector Dr Ghassan Abu Sittah who has argued that the defintion “conflates anti-Zionism and anti-Israeli genocidal settler colonialism with antisemitism.”
GAAF and GUJPS have also been contacted for comment.
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