At the last NEC meeting, a clear and balanced motion was passed almost unanimously about the conflict in Lebanon. I want to be very clear: Nobody opposed the notion of an immediate ceasefire. In fact, many people in the NEC expressed their wish for a ceasefire that was both immediate and sustainable (i.e. long-lasting – for who on earth would limit their desires to a temporary ceasefire)?

To say, as some have, that NUS was supporting the killing of Lebanese civilians is a gross misrepresentation of NUS policy, and a disgusting libel aimed at increasing division within the student movement. Unfortunately, the word ‘immediate’ could not be included in the text of the motion as it was not submitted as an amendment (though the word was included in a motion that fell for totally unrelated reasons).

Nonetheless, the NEC did overwhelmingly support the mandate given to the co-convenors of the anti-racism/anti-fascism campaign to write to the Respect Coalition concerning George Galloway’s support for Hassan Nasrallah. It may not be the place of the anti-racism/anti-fascism campaign (ar/af) to meddle in the politics of the middle east because ar/af should be a place where we all unite …But this wasn’t about the specifics of middle eastern politics.

Hassan Nasrallah is a racist holocaust denier. He has called for the killing of Jews (not just Zionists) worldwide and has celebrated the fact that if all the Jews lived in Israel, he wouldn’t have to go looking for them in order to wipe them out. I don’t mind what Mr Galloway’s policies on the middle east are, he is free to disagree with me, but the moment he lends his support to a racist, and wishes that more people were like this particular racist, the anti-racist community should have no qualms in uniting in condemnation; just as I would unite in condemnation of any Zionist who happened to be or support a racist.

I attach a copy of the letter that I sent out to George Galloway in accordance with NUS NEC policy.

I hope and pray for a lasting peace in the middle-east and feel that we should be looking to build bridges between people and communities, rather than dividing them for political ends.

Yours in unity,

Sam Lebens

Dear Mr Galloway,

I have received an overwhelming mandate from the National Executive Council of NUS to write to you to express our condemnation of your support for Hezbollah and its leader, Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah.

On the 22nd of July, you attended a rally in London and said that "What I'm about to say is illegal in this country ... Hezbollah has never been a terrorist organisation. I am here to glorify the Lebanese resistance, Hezbollah, and to glorify the resistance leader, Hassan Nasrallah ...". You went on to wish aloud that more Arab leaders were like Hassan Nasrallah and at this same rally, placards were displayed that read, 'We are all Hezbollah!' You then repeated your position in an article in Socialist Worker.

Hezbollah is an organisation with a history of terrorism. It has been responsible for many terrorist atrocities including the bombing of the AMIA Jewish Community Centre in Buenos Aires in 1994, killing 85 people. This was the largest case of antisemitic mass-murder since World War II.

Hezbollah's leader, Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah, is openly antisemitic and denies the Holocaust. In April 2000, in his speech at the Ashura ceremony, Nasrallah called the "Nazi atrocities" a legend "invented by the Jews". In October 2002, Nasrallah told the Lebanese Daily Star newspaper: "If they [Jews] all gather in Israel, it will save us the trouble of going after them worldwide".

Mr Galloway, we are not accusing you of being antisemitic or being a Holocaust denier. What we do condemn is your open support for a leader and an organisation that is antisemitic, terrorist and denies the holocaust. You clearly understand the ideology and actions of Hezbollah. Regardless of one's position on the current crisis in the Middle East, as anti-racists it is unacceptable for you to publicly support racists and antisemites simply for political expediency. It is even more reprehensible that you seek to deny their role in terrorism against Jewish communities and expressed a wish for more Arab leaders who are like the antisemitic Nasrallah.

We believe in an inclusive and progressive student movement in which the values of solidarity, tolerance and respect are upheld and advanced. We feel that your actions are diametrically opposed to these values and call on you to reconsider your support for Hezbollah and its leader.

Yours in solidarity

Samuel Lebens

National Executive Member of the NUS

Co-convenor of the Anti-Racism/Anti-Fascism Campaign

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