NUI Galway Students’ Union Supports the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions Movement (BDS)
NUI Galway Students’ Union has officially joined the international Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement, which calls for an academic, cultural and economic boycott of the state of Israel. The decision was taken by a referendum of NUI Galway students last month. The referendum, which was called by The Palestine Solidarity Society asked students whether or not they agreed with the motion: “That NUI Galway Students’ Union actively supports the campaign of Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions against the State of Israel”. 65% of voters supported the motion.
The BDS movement, called for by Palestinian civil society in 2005, advocates non-violent punitive measures against Israel until it complies with the precepts of international law towards Palestine. This consists of ending its occupation and colonisation of all Arab lands and dismantling the Wall, recognising the fundamental rights of the Arab-Palestinian citizens of Israel to full equality, and respecting, protecting and promoting the rights of Palestinian refugees to return to their homes and properties as stipulated in UN Resolution 194.
Sean Kearns, President of NUI Galway Students’ Union, said:
‘NUI Galway students have a long and proud history of fighting for societal change, both domestically and internationally, and this result is the latest example of that tradition. Alongside promoting awareness of the need for the broader BDS campaign, NUI Galway Students’ Union are currently working on developing a policy that will outline how they will be lobbying the university to comply with the BDS campaign.’
Fionnghuala Nic Roibeaird, Auditor of the NUI Galway Palestine Society, said:
‘We would like to thank all those who campaigned and voted for the motion. No doubt NUI Galway Students’ Union shall be just the first of many students’ unions in Ireland to join the BDS campaign, and we are confident that students in Ireland and elsewhere will not be silent on instances of international oppression in our own time’.
