Bosses at a prestigious university have been accused of fuelling racist abuse against a Black colleague who was accused of antisemitism for condemning Israel’s attacks on Gaza.
University of St Andrews rector Stella Maris wrote to students in November calling for a ceasefire and an end to the collective punishment of Palestinians. Following an open letter from some students accusing her of “fostering hate” and justifying the horrific acts of Hamas on 7 October, the university announced it was “utterly dismayed” and said it would investigate whether her message was “compatible” with her role.
In response, another open letter from 100 staff members accused the leadership of a “profound failure of due diligence in accepting false accusations” made about Maris. The staff pointed out Maris had explicitly denounced Hamas’s actions in her email. They also condemned the university’s failure to mention the barrage of abuse and harassment Maris had received.
