St Andrews University is commissioning an urgent independent external investigation into the conduct of its Rector  in sending out a divisive anti-Israel email to all students.

The Rector of St Andrews, Stella Maris, who was elected by students to preside at meetings of the University Court, sent an email on 21 November 2023 to all 10,000 students describing Israel’s actions in Gaza as  “weeks of genocidal attacks by the Israeli government against Gaza”.  Her email also asked the students to condemn “practices such as apartheid, siege, illegal occupation and collective punishment observed in the treatment of Palestinians.”  The email did not acknowledge that Hamas had done anything wrong.

The email was described by students as being divisive and inciting hatred. It cited anti-Israel media such as the Electronic Intifada, as well as including a boycott list.

UKLFI Charitable Trust (UKLFI) wrote to St Andrews University in response to the Rector’s email, providing a rebuttal to the points made by the Rector, and requested that the University send it out to students.

Sally Mapstone, Principal of St Andrews University, has now responded, by email to UKLFI saying: “We are treating the matter of the Rector’s message to students, and her subsequent comments and communications, with the utmost seriousness. University Court, the supreme governing body of St Andrews, met last week and agreed that an independent external investigation should be commissioned as matter of urgency.

The investigation will examine the compatibility of the Rector’s actions and activities with the responsibilities and standards which she agreed to uphold when she became a member of Court, and which are required of a charitable Trustee, and will consider all relevant material including statements, social media posts, correspondence and other papers and submissions as appropriate.  The investigator will have the discretion to seek additional information as they consider necessary.”

The Principal also assured UKLFI that the University was committed to publish the outcome of the investigation.

The University of St Andrews was founded in 1410 and was ranked as the top UK university in the Sunday Times’ Good University Guide in 2023.

Caroline Turner of UKLFI said “We commend St Andrews for the responsible action it is taking, which sets an example for other leading universities around the world to follow.”

UKLFI’s full Response to the Rector’s missive can be read  HERE

UKLFI Briefing Note “Is Israel Guilty of Genocide?” can be read HERE 

UKLFI Briefing Note on Genocide can be read HERE