image source, University of St Andrews
Stella Maris denies her comments were anti-Semitic
The new chancellor of the University of St Andrews is facing calls for an apology over an email condemning Israel’s genocide in Gaza.
Stella Maris said Palestinians suffered “apartheid, siege, illegal occupation and collective punishment” during the Israel-Gaza war.
Hundreds of students called for her to retract her statements or resign after just a month in office.
The University of St Andrews said it was “regretted” by the president’s comments.
The role of the student-elected president is to provide pastoral support and represent the student community in the university governing body, which is headed by the president.
In a message sent to students on Tuesday, Maris described how a vigil at the university was held earlier this month “in response to weeks of genocidal attacks on Gaza by the Israeli government.”
She said: “We must continue to recognize and condemn acts that are internationally considered humanitarian and war crimes.
“It is also important to recognize and condemn Hamas’ actions that constitute war crimes, especially hostage-taking and deliberate targeting of civilians, which I have done and will continue to do. ing.”
human rights
The email also included a link to a website with an article headlined “Proof that Israel killed its own people on October 7.”
Ms Mullis denied accusations that her messages to students were anti-Semitic, insisting that her use of the terms genocide and apartheid was “supported by many human rights groups”.
In a statement to the Telegraph“Some people may disagree with the evidence presented, but disagreements should be based on contradictory evidence, not simply because the idea is unpleasant,” she said.
But a number of student groups at the university, which was founded in 1413 and is one of Britain’s oldest universities, claimed Ms Mullis’ comments “will only lead to division and hatred”.
They are now asking her to apologize or resign.
image source, Getty Images
Ms. Mullis was elected president of the 610-year-old university in October.
In their letter to the pastor, they said: “We are concerned that your letter does not demonstrate equal consideration for the lives of Palestinians and Israelis.
“What is truly unacceptable is the failure to mention, much less show respect for, the two St Andrews students who were recently attacked on the basis of their religion.
“Furthermore, your letter makes inflammatory and unfounded accusations of ‘genocide,’ ‘apartheid,’ and ‘occupation’ regarding the Jewish state, calling them attacks on the Jewish students you have been elected to care for. No appreciation has been shown for further escalating the hatred.
“It is unacceptable for a president to selectively choose responsibilities to represent all students.”
freedom of speech
Ms Mullis is an English and Philosophy graduate of the university and has since held a series of roles as student representative.
She was elected president on October 10th.
Reacting to Ms Mullis’ comments, Professor Dame Sally Mapstone, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of St Andrews, said the university was committed to freedom of speech but that “anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, There is no place for any kind of racism.”
“We deeply regret that, on this occasion, the President has placed the right to freedom of expression above his duty to represent and care for the welfare of all students.”
“While some may welcome this message, we know that others will be deeply offended and concerned.
“While we all share a desire for peace and an end to hostilities in Israel and Gaza, her message, its language, and some of the sources cited left our community uneasy.” , regret any division or harm caused,” and more broadly. ”