Mick Hartley

Life for Jewish students in the UK, pt 73. From the JC:

The National Union of Students has been accused of “segregating” Jews after it reportedly said that Jewish students uncomfortable with anti-Israel rapper Lowkey headlining the union’s conference could always go to another room during his performance.

The rapper, a key figure in the Palestine Action collective, which is planning a nationwide wave of attacks on properties owned by Israeli-linked firms, had set to appear at the NUS Liberation Conference this March – but has now pulled out.

Tracks put out by Lowkey – whose real name is Kareem Dennis – include 'Long Live Palestine', which features the lyrics: "You say you know about the Zionist lobby. But you put money in their pocket when you're buying their coffee. Talking about revolution, sitting in Starbucks."

Union of Jewish Students President Nina Freedman told the JC NUS leaders met her but refused to reconsider Lowkey’s performance despite concerns from Jewish students.

Instead, she said, officials offered “insufficient and frankly offensive mitigations.”

She added: “It was suggested that Jewish students go into an existing safe space designated for students who are sensitive to loud noise for the duration of Lowkey’s performance.

“In doing so, NUS have brushed Jewish students aside and have shown a complete disregard for their needs and experiences.”

Binyomin Gilbert, Programme Manager at Campaign Against Antisemitism, said: "NUS knows exactly what it is doing by headlining Lowkey…

“Headlining such a person is bad enough, but telling appalled Jews to go and stand in the corner whilst everyone else dances is segregationist and disgusting. Instead of showing solidarity with Jews, NUS is literally casting Jews aside.

"This is sickening hypocrisy from a union that proclaims itself to be ‘anti-racist’.”

The Board of Deputies said: "We are disturbed that NUS has Lowkey to perform at its conference. Lowkey is an infamous conspiracy theorist whose delusional output has long been of concern within the Jewish community.

"We hope NUS will stop ignoring the anger and dismay of Jewish students at its decision and will reconsider its choice of performer."

Also slated to appear at the conference is notorious Corbynite Labour MP Zarah Sultana, who has a deeply controversial social media history.

The Coventry South MP bragged in 2015 she would “celebrate” the deaths of Tony Blair and Benjamin Netanyahu – and also wrote of her support for “violent resistance” by Palestinians.

Lowkey has previously endorsed 9/11 conspiracy theories and recently claimed on Iran’s Press TV that the media has “weaponised the Jewish heritage” of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to “stave off” inquiries about far-right groups in the country.

The rapper has also attacked Israel as a “racist endeavour”.

Well, you can see why the NUS invited him. A toxic buffoon ranting cheap anti-semitic poison: fits right in.

A Jewish student planning to attend the NUS conference said: “I’m feeling incredibly anxious about attending NUS conference.

“NUS claim to be an antiracist organisation but they’re platforming a 9/11 truther who spreads conspiracy theories about Jewish students.

“My faith shouldn’t stop me engaging with student politics but thanks to NUS creating a toxic atmosphere I and other Jewish students are intimidated and silenced.”