UK's St Andrews reinstates rector after dismissal for Israel criticism

The rector of St Andrews University in the UK has won her appeal after the institution removed her from its governing body for issuing a statement that condemned Israel's "genocidal attacks" on Gaza.

Last year, the University of St Andrews removed Stella Maris from her position on the university court after its investigation concluded that she exercised "poor judgment" for sending an email to all students in November 2023 that called for an urgent ceasefire in Gaza.

Maris, who is an alumnus of the prestigious Scottish university, also called on students to condemn "practices such as apartheid, siege, illegal occupation and collective punishment observed in the treatment of Palestinians".

Following her statement, St Andrews launched an independent inquiry led by Morag Ross KC to "examine" whether Maris's actions and activities were compatible with her role as rector after the UK Lawyers for Israel group lodged a complaint against her. 

Ross submitted the findings from her internal inquiry to the university court, the highest governing body at St Andrews, in April 2024. She found that Maris's email had caused "anxiety and fear" among Jewish students. 

Despite Ross concluding that firing Maris would be "disproportionate," the university court concluded that she should be removed from her position. 

But after a nine-month appeal, the university's chancellor, Menzies Campbell, ruled in Maris's favour and overturned her dismissal from the university court.

Commenting on the ruling, Maris described her victory as a "surprise" as well as "vindication of my position [...] and a defence of the fundamental principles of free expression and democractic accountability within our universities.

“Universities must remain places where individuals are free to speak out against injustice, especially where that speech is grounded in humanitarian concern and moral conscience in line with the principles of international human rights," Maris said in a statement.

'[Maris'] victory [is] a clear rebuke to the growing pattern of repression facing those who speak out for Palestinian freedom'

- Tasnima Uddin, European Legal Support Centre

“I am grateful to the many students, academics, and members of the public who stood in solidarity with me over the past months. I intend to continue campaigning to ensure the right to political expression and academic freedom.”

At St Andrews, the students elect the rector to represent and advocate for their interests. The position is unpaid and carried out voluntarily.

Following her dismissal, Maris received support from students on campus and over 500 academics across 17 countries. 

Her supporters included the Palestine Solidarity Campaign and the European Legal Support Centre (ELSC), which provided her with legal support and helped fundraise for her appeal against the decision to fire her. 

Tasnima Uddin from the ELSC described Maris' "victory as a clear rebuke to the growing pattern of repression facing those who speak out for Palestinian freedom".

"For 570 days, Israel has carried out a genocide in Gaza, targeting universities, hospitals and civilians, yet St Andrews chose to punish its rector for calling for a ceasefire," Uddin told Middle East Eye. 

"The reinstatement of Stella Maris proves that the attempt to quash this mass movement will not succeed and legal means will continue to be used."

A St Andrews University spokesperson said: “As the body that made the decision to dismiss the rector, University Court is carefully considering the chancellor’s decision and taking advice from counsel. 

“This issue was never about free speech and only ever about governance. Ms Maris remains rector of the university and has done so throughout.”