Anti-Fada
Protesters marched across Oxford last weekend in support of Palestine. Last Saturday's demonstration, organized by the Oxford Palestine Solidarity Campaign, the Oxford Stop the War Coalition and the Oxfordshire Trade Union Council, was called to demand an end to Israeli incursions into Palestinian towns. The protestors marched from Manzil Way in Cowley to Broad Street.
Due to fears that the demonstration would incite anti-Jewish feelings, a counter-demonstration also took place in Broad Street, calling for co-existence through a two-state settlement. The counter-demonstration, originally organised by Daniel Cowen, OUJS Co-President, was composed of 50 students from across the university. They held up placards reading 'Coexist', displaying the Israeli and Palestinian flags side by side. Stuart Hudson, from Jesus College, said "We were worried that the main demonstration may have allowed a small minority of people to promote violence. We're a group of students from many different religious backgrounds who feel a peaceful voice should be heard." Daniel Cowen, who acted as the senior steward for the co-existence protest, stressed that the demonstration was inclusive: "It's important that there is a group here campaigning for peace and standing up for Israel's right to exist."
A rally in Broad Street followed the march from Manzil Way. Four speakers addressed the crowd, who carried placards calling for a boycott of Israeli goods and victory to the intifada. Carol Reagan of the NUT was also there to speak, comparing the Palestinian campaign to the anti-apartheid movement. Speakers from the Oxford Palestinian community, who had recently visited Israel and Jordan, also addressed the rally.
Despite initial worries that there could be antipathy between the two groups of demonstrators, many members of the main rally spoke to the 'Co-exist' demonstrators. One second year student, who had marched with the main demonstration, said: "I'm just here to voice my concern. I'm not here to support either side. I just want peace."
Elsewhere, a controversial motion regarding the Middle East was passed by two votes in OUSU council on Friday. The motion, proposed by Joe Hall, mandated the OUSU President to write to the PLO representative in Britain. Hall called it a "ground-breaking moment for OUSU."
A challenge was also made to the interpretation of procedure in the debate, when one member left before the swift call for a recount. The return of the absent member was, however, deemed valid by OUSU Chair Rodrigo Davies, despite opposition, as the issue was a recount rather than a revote.
Christ Church JCR has condemned the motion, claiming that it was inappropriate for OUSU to express a political position on this matter. They stated that it "makes a mockery" of the conflict and is "outside the business of the Student Union".
9th May 2002