Written by Hugh Ormond Askerud
LSESU’s stance on Gaza has again become a battleground of student opinion in light of a recent incident between ‘Jews against Zionism’ (JAZ) and Israel Society. A formal complaint was laid down to LSESU by JAZ in response to Israel Society handing out ‘I support the IDF’ wristbands on September 25th, the Thursday of Freshers Fair.
“It’s important not to be surprised by the things these people are doing, but I was completely shocked,” said Oli, one of the members of JAZ in the stall directly opposite the Israeli Society during Freshers Week.
A member of Israel Society confirmed to The Beaver that they were handing out ‘I support the IDF’ wristbands alongside leaflets, waterbottles, and powerbanks on the day.
As ‘Cultural Day’ had been scheduled for the first day of Rosh Hashanah – the Jewish New Year, Jewish Society, Israel Society, and Jews against Zionism all had to postpone their stalls from Monday to Thursday. After seeing that Israel Society was handing out their wristbands, members of JAZ complained to members of LSESU staff, after which the Israel Society subsequently put the remaining wristbands away.
After the fair had ended for the day, Ben, President of Israel Society, approached the JAZ stall to speak. Speaking to The Beaver, his key complaint relating to JAZ was their turn away from discourse, stating there is “no need for this back and forth – complaint, meeting, complaint, just come up to me and have a conversation”.
Following the event, JAZ launched their petition in tandem with an Instagram post, ‘condemning the distribution’ of the wristbands. The petition itself calls for LSE not to tolerate such actions and calls for signatures. It also asks signatories to ‘share any thoughts’ on the wristband distribution. In addition to the petition, a formal complaint was privately lodged to the SU by members of the group. Welfare and Liberation Officer Isabel Howe confirmed that the SU had received the complaint and was in the process of drafting a response to the group.
Though LSE as a whole was targeted by the petition, members of both JAZ, Palestine Society, and Israel Society have placed the crux of the matter with the Students’ Union, seeing this as the vehicle of change. The Students’ Union has acknowledged the ongoing genocide in Palestine after a strong referendum result, with 88.6% of students voting in favour. Many staff and associated individuals have also expressed support in private.
The president of JAZ, Dylan Watts, stated that, with regard to the SU, it was the case that “generally they are sympathetic but a bit weak, because they like to play this two-sides narrative that both sides need to be listened to, but one side are literal genocide deniers.”
Ben also pointed to this crucial tension, stating that he hopes “they will allow freedom of expression to continue … They should allow these conversations to be had, and I sincerely hope they don’t dampen freedom of expression at LSE.”
Members of JAZ said that they had multiple private conversations with staff who voiced their frustration at such actions more broadly.
On one occasion, JAZ member Oli had spoken to one member of staff who called the distribution a “disgusting” act.
“They’re on the right side and they have goodwill, but maybe a lack of political will on some occasions,” said Dylan.
In an interview with The Beaver, Welfare and Liberation Officer Isabel was quick to dismiss suggestions that staff could voice an opinion on the issue, arguing that while sabbatical officers had some scope to speak following the referendum results: “In terms of staff, their opinions can’t come into their work … they all understand it’s important not to do that on a moral level.”
Isabel said that the referendum result in favour of recognising the genocide provided some scope for working with students on topics such as divestment, but the platform was also limited. “I understand this sounds quite vague, but what it means is we can work better with students,” she said.
Key to the SU’s approach, according to Isabel, is “facilitating and creating as many places as possible for campaigns to exist … it’s on the Students’ Union to balance and follow the law while at the same time encouraging students.”
An LSE spokesperson told The Beaver: “Academic freedom and freedom of expression underpin everything we do at LSE. Students and staff are strongly encouraged to discuss and debate the most pressing issues around the world in a mutually respectful manner.”
“As an institution, LSE does not take a formal position on political or international issues. Instead, it endeavours to provide a platform to facilitate discussion and critical debate, within the law, where the views of all parties are treated with respect. This includes the expression of views that are unpopular, controversial, provocative, or cause upset, but are not unlawful.”
“This is enshrined in UK law by the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023, [which states] that LSE has an obligation to adhere to via our Code of Practice on Free Speech.”
