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Vandalism against Jewish student stall condemned

By staff writers
April 27, 2012

Christian students have condemned the vandalising of the UJS stall at the National Union of Students (NUS) conference this week.

The stall was defaced by activists who placed stickers calling for a boycott of Israeli goods over the UJS logo, including the Star of David symbol.

Christian student and SCM member Paul Parker commented: “SCM utterly condemn this act of vandalism and we support the UJS in their call for strong action to be taken by the NUS."

He added: "Whatever people’s views are on the situation in the Middle East, progress towards a just and lasting peace will only be achieved through open and honest dialogue”

Writing on their blog, a UJS spokesperson said that the conference should be "a safe space for all students". He added "There is no excuse for this behaviour within the student movement.”

Christians, Jews, Muslims and campaigners of all faiths and none working for justice for both Palestinians and Jews in the Middle East have condemned the vandalism.

The National Union of Students Conference ran from 24-26 April 2012.

The Student Christian Movement (SCM) is "an ecumenical, student-led movement empowering students to explore and live out the Christian faith."

SCM (www.movement.org.uk) remains Britain’s oldest Christian student organisation, having been founded in 1889.

The Union of Jewish Students (www.ujs.org.uk) is the organisation that represents over 8000 Jewish students across the UK and Ireland.

[Ekk/3]

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