JVL Introduction

There is good news – and not so good news – from Sheffield.  Shahd Abusalama won her case against Sheffield Hallam University effectively for standing up for Palestine and we publish her statement and Press Release here.  Meanwhile Sheffield University has cancelled a teach-in on Gaza on the basis that it is “linked to a controversial event/topic” and so it was a security risk.  A Skwawkbox article on cancelling the Teach-In follows below Dr. Abusalama’s statement.

Meanwhile the UN Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association (Gina Romero) has produced an excellent but worrying 15 page Report: ‘Recommendations for Safeguarding the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association on campuses in the context of international solidarity with the Palestinian people and victims’. Ms Romero writes that:  “pro-Palestinian peaceful protests and social movements faced significant restrictions, protest bans and arbitrary arrests, especially in Western countries, which created a hostile environment and a chilling effect for those defending and speaking out for the rights of Palestinians, a ceasefire in Gaza, prevention of genocide, an end to the occupation, and justice.”

The Special procedures mandate holders called for an end to the harassment and criminalisation of pro-Palestinian activists and protesters, and urged States to stop misusing hate speech imposing undue restrictions on legitimate protests, including in academic
institutions, and online.

Ms Romero will present at the United Nations General Assembly in 2024 and wrote:  “Protecting the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association from stigmatization” further found that students participating in pro-Palestinian solidarity protests have been targeted with severe stigmatizing narratives and unjustifiably “vilified by public authorities in some States as supporting ‘terrorism’”.

She goes on to say that: “Pro-Palestinian solidarity movements are among those facing increased levels of stigmatization online and
offline by authorities and non-State actors. This stigmatization has triggered further sweeping restrictions and repression (…) have created a hostile environment for pro-Palestinian expressions and activists, (…) and had increased racism and hate”.

In this context Dr. Abusalama’s victory is crucially important and the other university in Sheffield is making things more difficult in the way that Ms Romero outlined.  It is shocking once again that some Jewish students feelings of discomfort seem more important that opposing the killing and maiming of nearly 150,000 Palestinians and destroying Gaza.  To consider a teach-in by staff and students as too controversial to hold when it was designed to aid understanding within a university context should beggar belief but as the UN Report makes clear, it is all too common and it is the victories that are rare.

Dr. Shahd Abusalama

Shahd Abusalama has won her case against Sheffield Hallam University. They are paying her legal costs.

Her press release says:
“At a time when I thought I was agreeing to part ways with Sheffield Hallam amicably, I now know the University was suppressing the report which exonerated me, and smearing me to disreputable outlets [Jewish Chronicle!!!] that legitimate Israel’s genocide of my people.
….
“This victory is not just personal. It is a victory against attempts to silence advocates for justice in Palestine, including through the IHRA definition of antisemitism, a tool designed to protect Israel rather than combat anti-Jewish bigotry. Although the University has failed to verbally admit its wrongdoing, its latest actions speak louder than its lack of words – in particular its agreement to pay my legal costs, usually only payable by an unsuccessful party.”

Here is the message from Shahd.

Dear all, I’m very happy to share this long-awaited news wish you which I hope will offer some hope in the middle of these dark times. Thank you all for being part of my strength throughout this fight ❤️‍🩹🙏🏽🇵🇸✊🏾 Free Palestine!

Press Release: Shahd Abusalama wins significant victory against Sheffield Hallam University over leaked confidential details

London, 4 October 2024 – In a significant victory, Shahd Abusalama, the prominent Palestinian academic, activist and artist, has reached a settlement agreement with Sheffield Hallam University (SHU) for an undisclosed sum, including payment of 100% of her reasonably incurred legal costs. This brings an end to Dr Abusalama’s long-running legal battle in which she alleged that the University shared confidential and derogatory information about her with third parties, including politicians and The Jewish Chronicle, which is in crisis following the publication of fabricated stories justifying Israel’s war on Gaza.

Dr Abusalama was born and raised in Jabalia Refugee Camp in the besieged Gaza Strip. In January 2022, she was appointed as a lecturer at Sheffield Hallam University and almost immediately, she faced a campaign of defamation and silencing from pro-Israel, right-wing organisations protesting her employment. SHU subjected Dr Abusalama to multiple investigations but she was cleared of all wrongdoing in an independent report by Akua Reindorf KC. Nevertheless, the parties agreed to part ways in October 2022 in a confidential agreement.

However, according to court documents submitted on Dr Abusalama’s behalf, between August and November 2022, SHU was preparing briefings against her to various third parties, including Members of Parliament, current Government Ministers and the media. This information led to a damaging article published by The Jewish Chronicle on 08 November 2022, which included comments from the University’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Richard Calvert, in a breach of the confidential agreement. However, the University withheld the fact that Dr Abusalama had already been exonerated by Ms Reindorf KC’s independent report. The Jewish Chronicle article claimed, and the University denied, that senior University officials had reached out to the outlet specifically to discuss Dr Abusalama’s case.

The leaked details, which included information about Dr Abusalama’s departure from SHU, were revealed in the piece alongside details of the University’s new campus in the £8bn Brent Cross development.

Shahd Abusalama said:
“This case is fundamentally about the right to challenge Israel’s longstanding domination of the Palestinian people without fear of reprisal from those in positions of power. At a time when I thought I was agreeing to part ways with Sheffield Hallam amicably, I now know the University was suppressing the report which exonerated me, and smearing me to disreputable outlets that legitimate Israel’s genocide of my people. The end of this case represents one less injustice to endure during an active Western-backed Israeli genocide, which has led to the displacement of my family, the burning of our home and killing, maiming and starvation of our people.
This victory is not just personal. It is a victory against attempts to silence advocates for justice in Palestine, including through the IHRA definition of antisemitism, a tool designed to protect Israel rather than combat anti-Jewish bigotry. Although the University has failed to verbally admit its wrongdoing, its latest actions speak louder than its lack of words – in particular its agreement to pay my legal costs, usually only payable by an unsuccessful party. My case highlights the multifaceted racisms and structural vulnerability that Palestinians are subjected to in Britain on a daily basis. But it also, highlights that if we organise collectively and fight back, we can win.”

Dr Abusalama was represented by Liana Wood at Leigh Day who instructed Michael Sprack. She was also supported by the European Legal Support Center (ELSC).

_____________________________________________

Meanwhile at Sheffield University:

Academic freedom of speech attacked again as university censors teaching on occupation, genocide and complicity

The University of Sheffield has cancelled a planned – and previously approved – ‘teach-in’ by the university’s lecturers and researchers on the subject of the Gaza genocide, sponsored by the UCU union, on the grounds that it was ‘linked to a controversial event/topic’ and therefore posed a security risk. One element of the teach-in was to cover the university’s complicity through its investments and partnerships.

One of the lecturers posted a thread on Twitter/X about the university’s assault on academic speech and its links with companies linked to Israel’s slaughter of tens of thousands of Palestinians – and she included a link to a fundraiser for Palestinian young people to study in the UK:

The university’s action forms part of a long Establishment war on free speech in support of Palestinians and others oppressed and attacked by Israel. The Tories in government threatened universities with funding cuts if they refused to sign up to a ‘definition’ of antisemitism that legal experts and even its author says is unfit for purpose because it discourages criticism of Israel; UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) also suspended its whole advisory committee on equality last year because a couple of members had posted tweets criticising Israel’s slaughter of Palestinian civilians.

And the information war in favour of Israel is not limited to universities. Even some unions and their leaderships have attempted to prevent their officials and reps showing solidarity with Gaza or educating other members about Israel’s oppression. Labour Health Secretary Wes Streeting has also promoted Israeli companies for government-funded projects.

Nor is Sheffield the only university with ties to genocide-linked companies and institutions. With the Gaza genocide well underway in January, twelve UK universities accepted government cash to sign new partnerships with Israel.

To see the referenced tweets, go to the original article about this from Skwawkbox  (Ed)