The Scottish Universities Jewish Staff Network endorses the statement by our colleagues at St Andrews calling on the University to reinstate the Rector, Stella Maris, as Chair of Court without delay
Statement from the University of St Andrews Jewish Staff Network:
We welcome the successful appeal by the Rector, Stella Maris, against her removal as a trustee of the University and as Chair of the University Court. We deeply regret that these actions were taken in the first place and that the University acted in a way that exposed the Rector to personal and racist abuse.
We consider not only that the statement on Gaza which led to her removal was fair and reasonable in content. We also consider that it was right for her to issue such a statement. While it is true that some in the student body objected to her statement, it is equally true that many would have objected and felt unrepresented had she failed to issue a statement. Indeed, we consider the actions of the Rector to compare favourably with the failure of the University to take a stance on the situation in Gaza which currently is getting even worse and where the mass starvation policies of the Israeli Government are becoming even more intolerable.
For us, then, as Jewish staff within the University, the Rector acted in a way that was entirely compatible with her responsibilities. It was she who was promoting the broad interests/reputation of the student body and of the University as a whole.
We call on the University to reinstate the Rector as a trustee and as Chair of Court without delay.