The Deputy Israeli Ambassador approached UMSU’s Politics Society asking them to host an event at which she would deliver a talk titled ‘The Middle East; Hope and Challenges’.

The Politics Society correctly followed existing Union procedure. In light of the University of Manchester’s Code of Practice on Freedom speech it was deemed that the Deputy Israeli Ambassador did not contravene Union rules on visiting speakers.

The University of Manchester Students’ Union Executive Officers became aware of the talk a few days before it was to be given as concerns were being raised that the event might contravene the ‘Gaza Crisis’ policy passed at the Emergency General Meeting of 11th of February 2009. It reads:

3.  To join the global Boycott Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement by divesting from Israel and boycotting all companies that support or benefit from the Israeli occupation and lobbying the University to adopt a similar BDS policy towards Israel, and to build links with student unions and other trade unions who adopt a BDS policy.

The Executive Officers first took an informative vote on Wednesday 17th on whether or not it was the opinion that the Deputy Israeli ambassador contravened Union policy by speaking at the Union. By a majority vote Executive expressed the opinion that the Deputy Israeli Ambassador talking at the Union would contravene Union policy. The Executive Officers then took a vote on whether or not the event should be cancelled. By a majority vote, the committee decided that the event should not be cancelled.

On Thursday the 18th February, the deputy Israeli ambassador called to say that she was cancelling her event due to unforeseen circumstances.

Two simultaneous protests were held in front of the union steps throughout the afternoon of Thursday the 18th by AP (Action Palestine) and JSOC (Jewish Society) even though the event had been cancelled. From the steps, both parties moved into the Students’ Union where they continued to chant peacefully. The protest lasted only a few hours before it died down. No injuries were reported.

A meeting was then held on Monday the 22nd of February where the executive committee concluded that Code of Conduct on Free speech was in direct conflict with union policy. It was decided that no future motion shall be allowed to have a resolve that would commit the Union to breaking the law.

It was decided that it was inappropriate for speakers that contravene current Union policy to speak on Union premises. Societies who invite such speakers will be encouraged to host the speaker in a University building instead of the Union.

The Union council will clarify the Union’s new stance on the subject by March 16th.