Dear All,

I have great news for you: WE DID IT! Both Leeds University Union Referendum motions for Palestine have passed and become binding policies to the Union Council as of now. Here are the results:

• Motion 2 (Palestinian Students Right to Education): Won by 1433 votes to 1020.

• Motion 5 (LUU Policy towards PSG and other Politically Active Societies): Won by 1421 votes to 895.

Motion 2 (now a policy) will be implemented by twinning with Birzeit University in Palestine, as well as helping to found a scholarship scheme for Palestinian students who wish to study at the University of Leeds. The new policy also obliges the Student Union and its Council to take a positive stand in supporting the right to education for Palestinian students whenever the issue is discussed nationally.

Motion 5 (also a policy now) ensures that the Palestinian Solidarity Group (PSG) and all other societies can now work freely in campaigning on campus and educating the University community on the Palestinian cause and Israeli crimes without fear of being stopped or discriminated against by the Union following nonsensical and frivolous complaints by Zionist students.

Let me reiterate: it wasn't the PSG committee who achieved this victory, WE DID IT ALL TOGETHER! Yes, it was the fact that we all (PSG, ISoc, Respect, Socialist Workers, Stop the War, PSC, Saudi Society, Omani Society, and many others) worked in unity, shoulder to shoulder, which made this a reality. This is proof that when we join hands together no one can stop us from achieving our noble aims.

Let us not underestimate this victory; we shouldn't forget that we were all challenged by a fierce opposition campaign from the Jewish Society (JSoc), probably the most powerful and extremely Zionist Jewish society in the UK, yet we all managed to overcome all obstacles, which include the many lies that made up the JSoc's campaign with the aim of confusing and misleading students. Our achievement wasn't granted as a result of a weak opposition - it was won through our sincerity, determination, unity and hard work.

The Referendum door is now closed, but a new door has just opened and should remain open; it is our belief and intention to continue our great work and to keep working together not only for Palestine but for all the ethical humanitarian and political causes around the world.

I would like to finish with a massive THANK YOU to all those who worked for this success; to those who wished to help but couldn't; and to all those who prayed for our victory: thank you all very much!

I'll leave you now with the Victory moment captured on video! Believe me, we are not mad, we were just excited!

Source: akramawad.com

---