Scottish university rector speaks out after winning appeal over Gaza dismissal
Stella Maris lost her formal powers in the governing body of St Andrews University last year following a backlash over comments she made in 2023, where she claimed that Palestinians had been subjected to 'practices such as apartheid, siege (and) illegal occupation'.
The university's bosses decided to keep in place her removal from the governing body and her role as a trustee despite an independent investigation, led by Morag Ross KC, concluding that removing Maris from her roles was 'disproportionate".
Maris has now won an appeal against the decision and told The National she 'fundamentally disagrees' with the assertion from university bosses that the punishment dealt to her was not about free speech and 'only ever about governance'.
'I've always said it is a freedom of speech issue and considering the outcome that we have seen I think it is fair to question the methods and communications they used to justify a decision that was ultimately overturned,' she said.
READ MORE: Gaza Freedom Flotilla issues SOS after alleged drone strike near Malta
'I fundamentally disagree with the assertion that it was not a freedom of speech issue. It wasn't adjudicated on those terms officially, but I think the public and the media coverage and the way it was received has made it clear a lot of the wider public see it as I do, as an attack on freedom of speech and expression.'
Maris was dismissed from the governing body at St Andrews and lost her role as a trustee after she sent an email to all students referring to "genocidal attacks" by the Israeli government, shortly after she was elected as rector in October 2023.
An investigation said that it would be 'disproportionate' to dismiss Maris from the governing body, but the university court said it had acted because Maris repeatedly declined to accept Ross's conclusions which suggested she had made some students 'fear for their safety'.
Maris launched a fundraiser to appeal against the decision and this week, former LibDem leader and university chancellor Menzies Campbell ruled in her favour.
Maris has opened up to The National about 'the sense of isolation' she felt in fighting university bosses with limited resources at her disposal, adding she felt she had to hide this vulnerability for fear of appearing weak against an 'incredibly powerful' institution.
'It's been very difficult and even now it's difficult to communicate the struggle that has been the last year and a half,' said Maris.
(Image: Supplied) 'During that time I just had to keep moving forward no matter what happened so I didn't have time to sit down and focus on the implications for my mental health and wellbeing.
'They were definitely there, but in a position like this, especially when going up against an incredibly powerful institution with seemingly unlimited resources to my none, I felt like I couldn't show signs of weakness because I thought they would be exploited.
'The sense of isolation, the disparaging comments I received and emails from people who felt empowered to criticise me [did impact me], particularly the racist and misogynistic comments that came out, people saying I was clearly a DI [diversity and inclusion] hire and I should be deported.
'Even now people have gotten an impression of my behaviour from that time that is inaccurate and so still feel justified in saying this is a fluke. It is not and I'm excited to get back to supporting and ensuring the good governance of the institution that I care deeply about.'
READ MORE: Scottish Labour gains have been 'largely lost', says polling expert
Asked about why she felt she needed to highlight her views on Israel's assault on Gaza, Maris said she wanted to establish a platform for those who did not have a voice.
Maris gained support from students on campus, more than 500 academics from universities across 17 countries, the BRISMES Committee on Academic Freedom, and the University College Union (UCU), all calling for her reinstatement.
When she was dismissed from the governing body, she said she felt there was a perception from some that the issue could be 'swept under the rug' but she was determined to fight.
'I really hope it does send a message that it is not as easy as some might have thought to silence certain voices,' she went on.
'I did not have access to the same level of resources [as the university], I felt very isolated during that time, and I do think there was an expectation that through some perception of my vulnerability as an individual with limited resources, that it would be a simple matter of sweeping it under the rug.
'But I think every time I said no and didn't allow the pressure campaign to work, it was with the understanding in my head that I maintain my view and I am on the right side of history."
She added: 'Regardless of anything else there is no justification for the starvation of millions of people, for the slaughter of thousands of children, and it does not make someone a terrorist supporter to point that out, to point out the implications of international law, but also to express solidarity with the Palestinian liberation movement.'
St Andrews University said following this week's ruling that the university court is 'carefully considering the Chancellor's decision and taking advice from counsel'.
It added: 'This issue was never about free speech and only ever about governance. Ms Maris remains rector of the university and has done so throughout.'
The university has been contacted for further comment.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
North Wales Chronicle
an hour ago
- North Wales Chronicle
US criticises UK decision to sanction two Israeli ministers
Donald Trump's secretary of state Marco Rubio said that the travel ban and asset freeze imposed on Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich 'do not advance US-led efforts to achieve a ceasefire' and called for the measures to be reversed. The UK is taking the action alongside Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Norway. Mr Rubio said that the US 'stands shoulder-to-shoulder' with Israel. UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy said on Tuesday that the ministers had been 'inciting violence against Palestinian people for months and months and months, they have been encouraging egregious abuses of human rights'. In a post on X, Mr Rubio said that the 'United States condemns the sanctions imposed by the governments of United Kingdom, Canada, Norway, New Zealand, and Australia on two sitting members of the Israeli cabinet. These sanctions do not advance US-led efforts to achieve a ceasefire, bring all hostages home, and end the war.' The United States condemns the sanctions imposed by the governments of United Kingdom, Canada, Norway, New Zealand, and Australia on two sitting members of the Israeli cabinet. These sanctions do not advance U.S.-led efforts to achieve a ceasefire, bring all hostages home, and… — Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) June 10, 2025 He went on to say that America reminds 'our partners not to forget who the real enemy is'. 'The United States urges the reversal of the sanctions and stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Israel.' The sanctions against Israel's security and finance ministers were announced on Tuesday. Mr Smotrich and Mr Ben-Gvir both belong to right-wing parties which help to prop up Benjamin Netanyahu's fragile coalition government, and both have been criticised for their hardline stance on Gaza. Mr Smotrich has campaigned against allowing aid into Gaza, and also supported the expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank, which are considered illegal under international law. Meanwhile, Mr Ben-Gvir has called for Gaza's people to be resettled from the territory. In a joint statement with the foreign ministers of the other nations who also imposed sanctions, Mr Lammy said that the two sanctioned ministers had incited 'serious abuses of Palestinian human rights' and described their actions as 'not acceptable'. The statement added: 'We will strive to achieve an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the immediate release of the remaining hostages by Hamas which can have no future role in the governance of Gaza, a surge in aid and a path to a two-state solution.' Downing Street said that the two men had been sanctioned in their 'personal capacities' and not 'their ministries and departments'. 'As the Israeli ambassador to the UK has said in recent interviews, their statements in their ministerial capacities do not even represent government policy,' a Number 10 spokesman said. The UK and other allies have upped pressure on Israel in recent weeks, amid aid shortages in Gaza and suggestions a large-scale offensive could be launched into the territory. It has been reported that only scarce amounts of aid is making it into the hands of people, and the slow flow of food and medicines has prompted warnings of famine and starvation.
The National
an hour ago
- The National
Top SNP figures in secret meeting to discuss John Swinney's leadership
Attendees said that the First Minister has two weeks in which to come up with a new strategy on independence or face a 'bloodbath' at the SNP conference, The Herald reported. A source told that paper: 'It feels like Groundhog Day. The last time John was in charge he dropped independence, surrounded himself only by people who agreed with him, and pushed out the likes of Margo [McDonald] and anyone who challenged his devolutionist strategy. 'For those with short memories, that ended in a bruising defeat. If he stays, we will be heading for a repeat. What is left of the membership will not tolerate it.' READ MORE: Controversial Loch Lomond Flamingo Land plans recalled by Scottish ministers It comes after SNP insiders made a similar argument to The National, warning that it felt like the party was being headed up by a small, private leadership group and 'heading back into the same old internal splits'. The Herald reported that the Monday meeting was ostensibly about forcing the party to move forward on independence, but there was a unanimous view that the First Minister 'has no intention of putting independence anywhere near the party's narrative whatsoever". Previously, the SNP's former policy chief Toni Giugliano told The National that independence had never been so far off the party's agenda as currently under Swinney. One source told The Herald: 'If there is nothing in the next couple of weeks from the leadership, then conference will be a bloodbath.' Though they doubted that any MSP or MP would challenge Swinney directly, they said it did not matter if the only competition came from an activist, as any contest would be 'hugely damning and damaging, and make the party look utterly ridiculous". Under SNP rules, any member who can secure 100 nominations from 20 different branches ahead of party conference can trigger a leadership vote. (Image: PA) Last year, Swinney faced a leadership challenge from party activist Graeme McCormick, who claimed to have secured the necessary nominations. However, McCormick was later talked out of the challenge after a 'lengthy and fruitful conversation' with Swinney. An SNP insider predicted similar challenges, saying: 'NEC members better start looking for new hobbies unless the leadership announces a change of direction soon — because at this rate we are heading for a mass clear-out.' They went on: 'The ability to make the case for independence is not a desirable part of the job description – it is essential – and he has failed on probation. 'The Presbyterian schoolmaster might fly in Perthshire – but in the rest of Scotland it just does not land. Stabilising the party only works for a short time. There is no energy, no fire, no boldness, no long-term vision.' Last week's Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election saw the SNP lose to Labour by 602 votes. READ MORE: 'Absurdity' of UK position on Israel while still supplying arms called out by SNP MP The party had been favourites, with Swinney calling it a two-horse race between his party and Nigel Farage's Reform UK. Yesterday, the constituency's new MSP, Davy Russell, took his oath at Holyrood and, in a speech on the steps of the garden lobby, said his win could be a 'springboard' to Labour winning power next year. The seat had been held by Scottish Government minister Christina McKelvie until her death earlier this year at the age of 57. At a press conference on Friday, Swinney insisted there had been progress for his party when the result was measured against their dire performance at last year's general election. One MSP told The Herald on Sunday that that was not enough. They said it was time for Swinney to make changes to his top team. 'I think a proper ministerial reshuffle is required, and an exercise undertaken to seek new policies. For example, I would call in the former MPs who have experience but have had time to refresh their perspective. 'I can sense that many – for the first time – are now nervous, and rightfully so. 'On independence – again, it can never be enough to simply run a competent devolved government without a vision of what could be.' The First Minister is expected to conduct a limited reshuffle of his ministerial team in the coming days. Swinney's previous time in charge saw the party's vote share and number of seats fall. He resigned in 2004, paving the way for the return of Alex Salmond. Asked by the BBC on Sunday if he was still the man to lead the party, Swinney said: 'Yes. Twelve months ago, the party turned to me. 'I was not seeking high office – I had held high office for a long time in my life – and the party turned to me, at a moment of real jeopardy, and asked me to use all of my skills and experience, and the loyalty I command in the party, to bring people together and focus us on the future.' Professor Sir John Curtice said the close battle for Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse did not mean Anas Sarwar was a shoo-in for Bute House. READ MORE: These key economic truths show how independent Scotland and Wales can succeed The election expert told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'The recent message from opinion polls is the SNP is running at just over 30%, Labour is around 20%, so it seems a reasonable expectation that such a result would not mean Anas Sarwar is Scotland's next first minister.' An SNP spokesperson said: 'Since John Swinney became leader last year he has brought the SNP back together and the party is back to doing what it does best – standing up for the people of Scotland. 'In the run-up to next year's Scottish Parliament election, the SNP will continue to deliver for people across the country, while setting out a clear and hopeful vision for their future as an independent country. 'With the latest polling putting support for independence at 54%, the SNP will continue to focus on demonstrating how having the full powers of an independent country is key to addressing the everyday concerns of people across Scotland and creating a more prosperous society for us all.'
NBC News
an hour ago
- NBC News
U.K., Canada, Australia and others sanction 2 far-right Israeli ministers for 'inciting extremist violence'
JERUSALEM — Britain, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Norway said Tuesday they have imposed sanctions on two far-right Israeli government ministers for allegedly 'inciting extremist violence' against Palestinians in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. The decision by Western governments friendly to Israel was a sharp rebuke of Israel's settlement policies in the West Bank and of settler violence, which has spiked since Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023, terrorist attack ignited the war in the Gaza Strip. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, key partners in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu 's coalition, are champions of Israeli settlement who support continuing the war in Gaza, facilitating what they call the voluntary emigration of its Palestinian population and the rebuilding of Jewish settlements there. They could now face asset freezes and travel bans. In a joint statement, the foreign ministers of the five countries said Ben-Gvir and Smotrich 'have incited extremist violence and serious abuses of Palestinian human rights. Extremist rhetoric advocating the forced displacement of Palestinians and the creation of new Israeli settlements is appalling and dangerous.' U.K. Foreign Secretary David Lammy said the two men 'have been inciting violence against Palestinian people for months and months and months' and 'encouraging egregious abuses of human rights.' 'These measures are directed at individuals who directly contribute to extremist settler violence,' said Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand. 'The measures are not directed against the state of Israel itself.' New Zealand's Foreign Minister Winston Peters said Wednesday that Smotrich and Ben-Gvir 'have severely and deliberately undermined' prospects for peace and security while 'inciting violence and forced displacement.' 'Our action today is not against the Israeli people, who suffered immeasurably on October 7 and who have continued to suffer through Hamas' ongoing refusal to release all hostages,' Peters said in a statement. 'Nor is it designed to sanction the wider Israeli government.' Smotrich wrote on social media that he learned of the sanctions while he was inaugurating a new West Bank settlement. 'We are determined to continue building,' he said. Ben-Gvir, also writing on social media, said 'we overcame Pharoah, we'll overcome Starmer's Wall,' referring to British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the U.S. condemned the sanctions and urged their reversal. 'We reject any notion of equivalence: Hamas is a terrorist organization that committed unspeakable atrocities, continues to hold innocent civilians hostage, and prevents the people of Gaza from living in peace,' he said in a post on X. 'We remind our partners not to forget who the real enemy is.' Israel's government also condemned the announcement, which came as traditional allies of Israel escalate denouncements of Israel's actions in Gaza, from the high civilian death toll to a monthslong blockade that led to famine warnings. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar called the sanctions decision 'outrageous.' He said he had discussed it with Netanyahu and that they would meet next week to discuss Israel's response. He said the move threatened to harden Hamas' stance in ongoing negotiations to end the war in Gaza and to cut short Israel's operation in Gaza before it achieves its goals. Benny Gantz, a centrist Israeli lawmaker and political rival to Netanyahu, wrote that he 'vehemently' disagreed with Smotrich and Ben-Gvir, but said the move was a 'profound moral mistake and sends a dangerous message to terrorists around the world.' Netanyahu is the target of an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court last year over alleged war crimes in Gaza, part of a global wave of outrage at Israel's conduct during its 20-month war against Hamas. Netanyahu has denied the allegations and accused the court of being biased against Israel. The Biden administration took the rare step of sanctioning radical Israeli settlers implicated in violence in the occupied West Bank — sanctions that were lifted by President Donald Trump. Eitay Mack, an Israeli human rights lawyer who spent years campaigning for the sanctions on Smotrich and Ben-Gvir — along with violent West Bank settlers — described Tuesday's move as 'historic.' 'It means the wall of immunity that Israeli politicians had has been broken,' he said. 'It's unbelievable that it took so long for Western governments to sanction Israeli politicians, and the fact that it's being done while Trump is president is quite amazing.' Mack added: 'It is a message to Netanyahu himself that he could be next.' Israel captured the West Bank, along with east Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip, in the 1967 Mideast war. The Palestinians want all three territories for a future state. Successive Israeli governments have promoted settlement growth and construction stretching back decades. It has exploded under Netanyahu's far-right coalition, which has settlers in key Cabinet posts. There are now well over 100 settlements across the West Bank that house more than 500,000 settlers. The settlers have Israeli citizenship, while the territory's 3 million Palestinians live under Israeli military rule, with the Palestinian Authority administering population centers. Most of the international community considers the settlements illegal, and Palestinians see them as the greatest obstacle to an eventual two-state solution, which is still seen internationally as the only way to resolve the conflict.
