http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/uk/england/newsid_1844000/1844326.stm
BBC News | ENGLAND | Students debate Israel 'apartheid'
Wednesday, 27 February, 2002, 14:11 GMT
Students debate Israel 'apartheid'
A student at Manchester University proposed the motion
Large numbers of students are expected to converge on Manchester
University to demonstrate over an attempt to brand Israel an "apartheid
state".
A motion being proposed by a Manchester University student and supported
by the Islamic Society, argues that Israel is carrying out human rights
abuses against Palestinians.
Students from across the country are travelling to the city to support and
protest against the action on Wednesday.
If it is passed, Jewish students fear anti-Semitic sentiment will lead to
the ban of Jewish societies within universities and fuel prejudice.
The proposal draws a parallel between South African and Israeli
apartheid and human rights abuse
Andrew Perfect, Students' Union
General secretary of the university's Students' Union, Andrew Perfect said
tensions on campus were running "fairly high".
He said they were expecting at least 1,000 people in the debating hall,
students outside and people from the local community.
He said: "This is a human rights motion regarding abuses against the
people of Palestine.
"The proposal draws a parallel between South African and Israeli apartheid
and human rights abuse.
"We are expecting at least 1,000 of our 24,000 members to vote, with lots
of others outside, as well as a large number of people from around the
country and a number from the community."
Heated debate
The motion is expected to be debated for most of the afternoon.
Greater Manchester Police have been notified of the expected crowds and
are sending officers to the event.
A police spokeswoman said: "We are aware of it and there will be a low key
presence to ensure it passes off peacefully."
Mr Perfect said: "Tensions are fairly high on campus at the moment.
"But this is not the first time something like this has happened. In 1996,
a group of students tried to ban the Jewish Society."
A spokesman for the university said they had read the motion and were
satisfied it was "a legitimate debate".
He said: "The motion relates to the situation in Israel and Palestine and
that is why some kind of heat has been generated.
"We are expecting it to be quite heated."
http://www.manchesterisoc.org.uk
Islamic Society at Manchester University
Human Rights For Palestinians
Dear Friends, Peace Be Upon You.
We would like to bring to your attention that students at Manchester University
have felt that there is a need to condemn the genocide and ethnic cleansing of
Palestinians in their own homeland, by the racist 'Israeli' apartheid regime, on
an official level.
A motion detailing the atrocities and blatant disregard for human rights was
submitted to the Students Union to be discussed and voted on in a general
meeting next Wednesday the 27th of Feb. at 1.30pm in the Academy.
Unfortunately, certain groups opposing this motion (hmm, I wonder who that could
be?!), have sunk to all time new lows in trying to divert the attention away
from the issue up for discussion. They have resorted to attempted provocation
and outright childish behaviour in an attempt to stop this motion.
However, those supporting the motion, have been ignoring these pathetic
attempts, much to the despair of those opposed to it.
What's on this microsite?
Well, due to the huge support we have received from people up and down the
country, we have decided to add a diary of events including pictures detailing
what has been going on.We have also added a list of links that you may find
useful.
What Can You Do?
Keep sending us your comments via email : [EMAIL PROTECTED] and spread the word
about what is happening at Manchester University. More importantly, remember us
in your du'a.
There will be more information soon...
Wassalam
