Manchester University Student Union Withdraws Motion Calling Israel a ‘Genocidal State’

A highly controversial student motion labelling Israel a “genocidal state” has been formally withdrawn by Manchester University’s Students’ Union following intense backlash from Jewish students, legal experts, and advocacy groups. The 2,000-word proposal, put forth by the campus group Friends of Palestine, accused Israel “in its entirety” of being “an apartheid settler-colonial state committing ongoing genocide against Palestinians,” while supporting what it referred to as “armed resistance” and calling for the creation of a “single, free, multi-faith Palestinian state.”

The motion had sparked months of fierce debate and growing tensions on campus. During a formal debate in March, Jewish students submitted nine amendments in an effort to balance the narrative. These included recognition of Hamas as a terrorist organization, condemnation of violence against civilians, and demands for the release of Israeli hostages. In a poignant act of protest, students held up images of slain hostages Ariel and Kfir Bibas outside the debate room. However, all nine amendments were summarily rejected.

In response, the Manchester University Friends of Israel Society partnered with UK Lawyers for Israel to mount a legal challenge, accusing the union of promoting one-sided and factually flawed rhetoric. The Campaign Against Antisemitism (CAA) also intervened, warning that the language used in the motion, particularly terms like “armed resistance” could be construed as justification for terrorism and might marginalize Jewish students.

“This motion aspired to deprive the Jewish people of their right to self-determination,” a CAA spokesperson told The Telegraph, adding that such motions “do nothing to change the Middle East but contribute to the ostracization of Jewish students on campus.”

The university itself had raised alarms about the proposal, expressing that aspects of the motion were “wholly unacceptable” and risked violating principles of “equality, safety, and wellbeing.” The administration had communicated its concerns directly to the Students’ Union, emphasizing its responsibility to maintain a safe and inclusive environment.

Facing legal and institutional pressure, the student union quietly dropped the motion. Jonathan Turner of UK Lawyers for Israel welcomed the decision, stating: “We are very pleased with this outcome, which clearly results from drawing attention to the student union’s legal obligations. Student unions must conduct political debates fairly, must not discriminate against Jewish or Israeli students, and must not engage in political campaigns outside their charitable objects.”

Despite retracting the motion, the Students’ Union maintained a defiant tone. In a public statement, the union apologized for the delay in addressing the matter but reaffirmed its political stance: “We stand in full solidarity with the Palestinian resistance to ongoing genocide in Gaza.”

The incident has further fuelled debate over the limits of free speech, antisemitism on campus, and the responsibilities of university institutions when navigating charged geopolitical issues. It also underscores the growing legal and social scrutiny surrounding student activism that may cross into hate speech or incitement.

As of now, the university has not announced any disciplinary measures, but stakeholders across the campus community continue to call for clearer guidelines to ensure respectful and lawful discourse moving forward.