CUSU has today addressed concerns about anti-Semitism in the student movement in an open letter to the National Union of Students (NUS).

The letter, written by CUSU President Priscilla Mensah and signed by the entire sabbatical team, was mandated at the CUSU Council meeting on Monday 2nd May after it was split from the motion on disaffiliation, which also passed.

In the statement, there is cautious condemnation of “what has been deemed examples of anti-Semitism” in the comments of NUS president-elect Malia Bouattia, who has received “widespread coverage for several statements considered unacceptable by Jewish students.”

Bouattia’s comments, such as her claim that the University of Birmingham had become “a Zionist outpost”, have hit national headlines, and prompted condemnation from forty-seven Jewish Society presidents from around the country. In referenda that have taken place so far, Lincoln and Newcastle have voted to disaffiliate from the NUS, while Exeter and Warwick voted to remain.

Criticism of anti-Semitism in the NUS is levied particularly as Vice-President Richard Brooks has confirmed that the NUS subscribes to the European Forum on Anti-Semitism’s definition of the term, despite the concerns raised prior to Bouattia’s election in April.

Setting out CUSU’s position, the letter further asserts that “CUSU condemns anti-Semitism and racism in all its forms and expressly asks NUS to do more to protect the rightful place of Jewish students within the student movement”, and calls for “steps to fully ensure reports of anti-Semitism within the organisation are dealt with.”

Mensah, who spoke in favour of CUSU’s membership of the NUS in last week’s debate, concludes by stressing the need for a “full and comprehensive response” from the NUS to address the concerns of the student body.

Adam Crafton, author of the original draft of the letter, praised those who had attended the 2nd May meeting, and added “this represents a step forward in the long-running battle to challenge deep-seated and racist ideas that unfortunately remain prevalent on university campuses across the United Kingdom.”

Voting in the disaffiliation referendum begins at midnight on Tuesday morning, and closes at 4pm on Friday, with results expected shortly afterwards.