Students for Justice in Palestine Society: Vice President

A lifelong activist, I’ve found UCL Students for Justice in Palestine a rewarding medium to channel my yearning for a free Palestine where no one is discriminated against based on race or creed. As vice-president, I’ll expand upon previous achievements to champion the Palestinian cause.

Priorities:

• Get Palestinians heard – Palestinians must always be at the centre of our movement.
• Hold UCL accountable – Expose complicity in Israel and advocate for an apartheid free campus.
• Teach Palestine – Engage students with events ranging from guest speakers to celebrations of Palestinian culture. Hard logic and facts are the basis for our anti-Zionism.
• Support people to act – Create a network through SJP to demystify what being an activist for Palestine means and turn passion into action.
• Unite around a common cause – Palestine unites activism on human rights, anti-colonialism, anti-war & environmentalism; this cause affects all faiths. Collaborations are key; unity is strength.

My history in activism includes questioning politicians, delivering speeches, volunteering on stalls, writing everything from petitions to articles and demonstrating (in all kinds of weather!).

I co-chaired the Cambridge Schools Eco Council who organised our YouthStrikes4Climate. The position was a real learning on the job experience of leadership and coordination.

With knowledge of an effective movement, I am ready to bring my spark to UCL SJP, fanning the flames of this unstoppable campaign.

Salam everyone! I'm Asmaa, a 2nd year Data Science student. Having been active in UCL SJP since my first year, I've seen the society grow and flourish and I'm very grateful to have played a role in this as part of this year's executive committee. 

From organising a peaceful protest against an IDF war criminal on our campus, to running campaigns such as Al-Aqsa week and Palestine Cultural Fortnight, I've had excellent opportunities to develop and refine my organisational and leadership skills. I worked hard to to reach out to people who had not previously engaged with the society, and part of my goal this year is to continue that engagement and outreach. 

In the upcoming academic year, I hope to help the committee maintain the momentum that we have built so far. I will do so through working both publicly, with social media campaigns and raising awareness through a plethora of events; and privately, with the work that continues behind the scenes such as BDS campaigns, which, despite not being at the forefront of activism, are the backbone of the society. 

Having grown up in the world of activism, I want to translate my passion for helping the oppressed and marginalised into my time while at university. Particularly as a Muslim Arab, this cause is very close to my heart, and I hope as your Vice President, I can make a difference.