An independent code-of-conduct investigation was held due to allegations being made against her. This investigation found that “significant breaches of NUS policies have taken place”, therefore it was decided to dismiss Dallali.
Through its member students’ unions across the country, the NUS is meant to represent millions of UK students. However, this is not the first time anti-Semitism has been called to light within the NUS, with the English government severing ties with the NUS due to fears about anti-Semitism in May.
There are mixed reactions regarding her dismissal. The Union of Jewish Students (UJS) claimed it “respected” this outcome but argued that her being elected was “a symptom of a wider problem” in the NUS. However, the Federation of Student Islamic Societies have defended Dallali, arguing that since being elected she faced a number of “Islamophobic and racist attacks”. They have emphasised the need for an investigation into the “institutional Islamophobia” in the NUS.
The NUS have said that they want to work with the UJS to “build trust and confidence with Jewish students.” However, the UJS have stated that “Jewish students across the country will be asking how an individual deemed unfit for office by the NUS was elected in the first place.”
Regarding, Dallali’s dismissal, Robert Halfon, who is the education minister, said that he, alongside the Department of Education, were looking “forward to seeing the outcome of the next stage.”
The findings of the wider investigation are yet to be published but said that it would “provide more detail on National Union of Students’ plans to address anti-Semitism within the organisation.”
Chloe Field, NUS vice-president, is currently acting as chair of the NUS UK board and has claimed that she is “determined to work together with the Union of Jewis Students to re-establish trust in [the] organisation.”