Democratic Idea Update: Palestine Solidarity

A student idea was passed regarding Palestine Solidarity at the second All Student Vote. This was submitted to the Guild’s Trustee Board, with the Board’s response explained below. 

Board response 

Students’ Unions are charitable membership organisations that exist to advance the education of students, including by representing the interests of students and helping to ensure that they benefit from a broad and rich educational experience outside of academia. It is important to remember that Students’ Unions cannot use their resources to campaign on issues that don’t affect ‘students as students’. 

As such, the Guild (as a charitable Students’ Union) can support this Palestinian Solidarity idea in line with the general law including the law on freedom of speech and charity law (including the requirement to promote the educational purposes of the Guild). 

In interpreting the idea, the Trustee Board have considered the expectations of the students submitting and supporting this idea and understand that under points 1, 3 and 4 of the idea above, would mean the Guild facilitating students to enact activities as outlined. 

With respect to point 2, the Trustees have added a footnote to the section ‘alleged to have and/or’, which states that the source of the allegation will be from, but not limited to, a reputable source such as the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) or the ICC (International Criminal Court). 

The Guild has to strike a balance in providing and presenting information in a neutral and balanced manner. The Guild also needs to carefully consider the use of its resources including the reasonable use time of staff who are employed by the charity. On this basis, support includes the following examples; 

• Elected Officers to raise the issues presented in the Palestinian Solidarity idea with University colleagues through the established University/Guild meeting framework. 

• Supporting recognised student groups to host lawful events, lectures, workshops, and demonstrations in order to provide educational insights. 

• To lobby the University through the regular University/Guild meeting framework to support affected students through its existing wellbeing framework. 

You can view details of the full Student Idea here.

This student idea was submitted, followed Guild democratic process, and passed the All Student Vote. 

If you have any questions regarding the Palestine Solidarity Idea, please contact studentvoice@guild.bham.ac.uk. 

For more information regarding our democratic system and procedures for Student Ideas, please refer to our Democracy Hub here.