Far right activists due to attend SOAS event
Published on Thursday, 02 February 2012 13:10 Written by Union of Jewish Students
Jewish students have voiced outrage at the news that members of the far-right IONA London Forum are due to attend tomorrow evening's talk by Jacques Vergès at SOAS, University of London.
Vergès is a notorious lawyer who has associated with and defended Nazis, mass murderers and antisemites. His invitation has been widely criticised with SOAS Students' Union, Mike Freer MP and the Holocaust Education Trust voicing concerns about his presence. Searchlight, the anti-fascist magazine, have called on the Home Secretary to ban him from entry to the UK.
"It is no surprise to see that the appearance on campus of a man who has defended Nazis has prompted his far-right supporters to come out of the woodwork."
"It beggars belief that - just a week after Holocaust Memorial Day - a man who has done so much to abuse the memory of the Holocaust has been welcomed onto a British campus." said Dan Sheldon, UJS Campaigns Director.
"It is concerning us that the university officially sanctioned the invitation of Jacques Vergès and failed to inform students properly about his dubious background." said Gabriel Schaller, SOAS Jewish Society President. "Academic freedom is vitally important, but when Nazi sympathisers and holocaust deniers are welcomed on to campus, it cannot come at the expense of student welfare."
Tomorrow, Jewish students, led by UJS and SOAS Jewish Society, will be making a stand against Jacques Vergès and his far-right supporters. Because this event falls on the Jewish sabbath, memorial candles will be lit before nightfall to form a symbolic protest.
Any students wishing to join us should contact campaigns@ujs.org.uk.
Credit: Union of Jewish Students