The NUS President said that the controversy had provided new platforms for her “to put out our vision of the future”.
In a recent interview with The Guardian, Malia also angered the interviewer by refusing to respond to any questions on the no-platforming of Germaine Greer, repeating only “It’s NUS policy” when challenged on perceived hypocrisy in NUS.
The interview also brought up the increased distance between the concerns of the NUS and those of normal students. Malia claimed that turnout to NUS elections was good and similar to turnout for government elections, despite an average turnout for NUS elections of 18%. When challenged on the figures, she claimed that they were a result of the government Prevent programme, which is “actively hunting down students that choose to be politicised”.
She believes that the Prevent programme is not trying to combat terrorism, but has “incredibly racist intentions”. When asked what she would do to replace the Prevent counter-terrorism programme, she proposes “looking at the state of our foreign policy” and making the curriculum at university less Eurocentric.
![]()
Malia Bouattia: The NUS President at the centre of a storm
Malia claims that the animosity against her is due to the radicalism of her left-wing politics. She wants the NUS to take a much more global perspective, fighting not just against fee hikes but against “the country’s role in escalating international crises”. She is campaigning equally hard on education issues and Palestinian rights.
Although she may cite the strength of “being united”, this doesn’t seem to have helped her on education issues this year, with course fees yet again being hiked by the government. NUS will be protesting later this year, but will not protest the fee hikes, using instead the non-specific hashtag “United4Education”.
![]()
Germaine Greer back in the heady pre trans hate speech days of 2013 (Photo: Helen Morgan)
Germaine Greer, a feminist writer, was scheduled to speak at Sheffield University, but was no-platformed as a result of her views on trans people. Although she does not hate trans people, she believes that a man who chooses to live as a woman has not been a woman all along. This has led to her being branded a “fascist” by some trans activists, and due to this the NUS views her as “spreading hate”.
The interviewer later emailed Malia, asking her to see if her parents agree that Greer is too dangerous to talk to students. Malia has not responded and is said to have left the country.
![]()
NU-Shite
Critics of the NUS have drawn parallels between the censorship of Greer on grounds of transphobia (which Greer denies), and the lack of concern about allegations of anti-Semitic comments from Malia. In the interview, Malia stands by her previous rhetoric, believing that she just needs to explain to her detractors and then they will see that she is right. However, she still has not distanced herself from the campaign group MPACUK.
The group, which is banned from NUS on the grounds of racism and anti-semitism, republish articles from neo-Nazi and Holocaust denying websites. They also use the word Zionist instead of the word Jewish, describing the Talmud as a “Zionist holy book” rather than as a Jewish religious text. Using the word Zionist when meaning Jewish is an accusation that has been levelled against Malia, particularly based on her comments that Birmingham is “a Zionist outpost” with “one of the largest Jsocs (Jewish societies) in the country”. MPACUK congratulated Malia on her election.
The interviewer writes that Malia reduced her to “shouting in frustration”. The President of the Union of Jewish Students responded to the article by complaining about yet again being ignored, stating that she has”One rule for the Jews, another for everyone else”, arguing that her responses prevented “the right of Jewish students to define their experiences of anti-Semitism”.
In an exclusive comment for The Tab, CUJS released this statement: “CUJS feels disappointed. After a referendum campaign in which we were told that the NUS was willing to listen and to change, we have watched for four months as its president and executive continue to ignore our concerns.”
EXCLUSIVE: JSoc responds to Malia Bouattia “Anti-semitism row raised profile of NUS”
The NUS President said that the controversy had provided new platforms for her “to put out our vision of the future”.
CAMBRIDGE
In a recent interview with The Guardian, Malia also angered the interviewer by refusing to respond to any questions on the no-platforming of Germaine Greer, repeating only “It’s NUS policy” when challenged on perceived hypocrisy in NUS.
The interview also brought up the increased distance between the concerns of the NUS and those of normal students. Malia claimed that turnout to NUS elections was good and similar to turnout for government elections, despite an average turnout for NUS elections of 18%. When challenged on the figures, she claimed that they were a result of the government Prevent programme, which is “actively hunting down students that choose to be politicised”.
She believes that the Prevent programme is not trying to combat terrorism, but has “incredibly racist intentions”. When asked what she would do to replace the Prevent counter-terrorism programme, she proposes “looking at the state of our foreign policy” and making the curriculum at university less Eurocentric.
Malia Bouattia: The NUS President at the centre of a storm
Malia claims that the animosity against her is due to the radicalism of her left-wing politics. She wants the NUS to take a much more global perspective, fighting not just against fee hikes but against “the country’s role in escalating international crises”. She is campaigning equally hard on education issues and Palestinian rights.
Although she may cite the strength of “being united”, this doesn’t seem to have helped her on education issues this year, with course fees yet again being hiked by the government. NUS will be protesting later this year, but will not protest the fee hikes, using instead the non-specific hashtag “United4Education”.
Germaine Greer back in the heady pre trans hate speech days of 2013 (Photo: Helen Morgan)
Germaine Greer, a feminist writer, was scheduled to speak at Sheffield University, but was no-platformed as a result of her views on trans people. Although she does not hate trans people, she believes that a man who chooses to live as a woman has not been a woman all along. This has led to her being branded a “fascist” by some trans activists, and due to this the NUS views her as “spreading hate”.
The interviewer later emailed Malia, asking her to see if her parents agree that Greer is too dangerous to talk to students. Malia has not responded and is said to have left the country.
NU-Shite
Critics of the NUS have drawn parallels between the censorship of Greer on grounds of transphobia (which Greer denies), and the lack of concern about allegations of anti-Semitic comments from Malia. In the interview, Malia stands by her previous rhetoric, believing that she just needs to explain to her detractors and then they will see that she is right. However, she still has not distanced herself from the campaign group MPACUK.
The group, which is banned from NUS on the grounds of racism and anti-semitism, republish articles from neo-Nazi and Holocaust denying websites. They also use the word Zionist instead of the word Jewish, describing the Talmud as a “Zionist holy book” rather than as a Jewish religious text. Using the word Zionist when meaning Jewish is an accusation that has been levelled against Malia, particularly based on her comments that Birmingham is “a Zionist outpost” with “one of the largest Jsocs (Jewish societies) in the country”. MPACUK congratulated Malia on her election.
The interviewer writes that Malia reduced her to “shouting in frustration”. The President of the Union of Jewish Students responded to the article by complaining about yet again being ignored, stating that she has”One rule for the Jews, another for everyone else”, arguing that her responses prevented “the right of Jewish students to define their experiences of anti-Semitism”.
In an exclusive comment for The Tab, CUJS released this statement: “CUJS feels disappointed. After a referendum campaign in which we were told that the NUS was willing to listen and to change, we have watched for four months as its president and executive continue to ignore our concerns.”
CAMBRIDGE
Calling all women: Here is how you can win £10,000 with UNiDAYS
Students from Nottingham and Sussex are amongst previous winners
BRANDS
Reclaim the Night: Marching in solidarity
CAMBRIDGE
People march for the annual ‘Reclaim the Night’ campaign against sexual violence and rape
The Cambridge Varsity rugby matches 2023: How to spend a day in Twickenham
CAMBRIDGE
Despite O*ford students being there
‘I can’t pay my Cambridge college bill yet, I’m still waiting for my bursary’
CAMBRIDGE
Cambridge University distributes bursary payments far too late for students to maintain a comfortable standard of living
Where to watch the Boat Race and support Cambridge
CAMBRIDGE
As our athletes are gearing up for the race, all you need to worry about is where to watch it
Jeremy Vine: Being ‘the state broadcaster, the government wrongly feels it owns you’
CAMBRIDGE
Speaking to The Tab, the presenter discussed his experience at the BBC and his passion for open, democratic debate
Demilitarise Cambridge renews calls for abandoning arms industry ties
CAMBRIDGE
Amongst the sea of witty slogans painted on cardboard at their recent protest, Demilitarise Cambridge have a serious message
Review: Kiss Me, Kate!
CAMBRIDGE
A high-spirited and energetic production to cap Lent term off
STEM students don’t have it worse
CAMBRIDGE
The myth that STEM is always harder has gone on too long
Review: Sol
CAMBRIDGE
A moving tale of love and conflict
The last days of Lent term are a trap!
CAMBRIDGE
These happy fools are being played…
UCU General Secretary visits Cambridge to sign ‘historic’ Recognition Agreement
CAMBRIDGE
Dr Jo Grady met supporters to discuss progress in negotiations and sign historic agreement with the university
The definitive guide to a night out in Cambridge
CAMBRIDGE
Yes, you can go out in Cambridge
Review: Charley’s Aunt
CAMBRIDGE
A cracking comedy to drive away the week seven blues
Review: An Intervention
CAMBRIDGE
A 90-minute engaging conversation
A Cambridge Comp Sci Tries Chemistry
CAMBRIDGE
No Chemistry students were harmed in the writing of this article.
12 reasons why I’m convinced that Cambridge is a social experiment
CAMBRIDGE
‘In case I don’t see ya, good afternoon, good evening and goodnight’
Review: Greater Than Ourselves
CAMBRIDGE
Love is patient, love is kind
School climate strikes return to Cambridge
CAMBRIDGE
Students took to the streets to raise awareness
Review: La Voix Humaine
CAMBRIDGE
Je t’aime… Je t’aime… Je t’aime…
Behind the Beard: In conversation with Drag Race royalty, Danny Beard
CAMBRIDGE
‘All art should be political’
A release day ranking of every song on Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd, Lana Del Rey’s new album
UK
How is Margaret managing to break and heal my heart at the same time?
Where is Blaine Gibson now? Inside the life of MH370’s debris finder who went into hiding
UK
He received SO many death threats
Ranked: Who is the most followed Love Island winner on Instagram?
UK
Kem Cetinay is the only guy Islander to have more followers than his female counterpart
Now you’ve stopped crying, here’s the Daisy Jones & The Six shock twist and ending explained
UK
I will never recover from this
A fool proof guide to all the best festivals happening in the UK and abroad this summer
UK
Let’s get drunk and sunburnt asap
Meet Irina: The 26-year-old business owner who is Love Is Blind’s latest villain
UK
She gives Jessica and Shaina a run for their money
Victoria Pedretti posts nude to hit back at famous actor who told her he objectified her
UK
‘Sometimes I enjoy modesty, sometimes I don’t’
Inside the ‘delusional edit’ on Drag Race, and the queens who got stuck with it
UK
How is Loosey meant to live, laugh, let loose in these conditions?
I went to a women’s only club night and it was the best party I’ve ever been to
UK
My eyes have been opened!
An intense rundown of the Love Island 2023 contestants who are currently beefing one another
UK
There are a LOT
These 24 memes from The Apprentice final are so good they deserve the 250k investment
UK
‘Femenin’
Meet Pearl Davis: The anti-feminist influencer raising a new generation of misogynists online
UK
Andrew Tate’s fans absolutely love her
Inside the affluent life of the MH370 pilot blamed for the plane’s disappearance
UK
His family say he ‘loved life’
Every expansion pack for The Sims 4 ranked, including the brand new Growing Together
UK
If loving Snowy Escape is wrong, I don’t wanna be right
Mark may be banned from The Apprentice final and spin-off shows due to bullying claims
UK
Earlier in the series he was accused of racially motivated bullying by a fellow candidate
These are the biggest ever profits there have been in tasks on The Apprentice
UK
Some teams made millions!!
How well do you remember these iconic The Hunger Games quotes? Take this quiz to find out
UK
Wait, who volunteered as Tribute again?
11 years after the first film you’ll never guess the transformations of The Hunger Games cast
UK
I’m still convinced I’m going to marry Josh Hutcherson
Netflix is being sued over Outer Banks by author who claims the show stole his ideas
UK
They want Netflix to hand over ALL profits the show’s made
The Hunger Games Mandela effect explained: No a Tribute didn’t explode in the first movie
UK
I swear I watched this happen??
No, Emma Chamberlain was never charging $10k for an Instagram DM, here’s what she’s said
UK
One tweet spiralled into something much bigger