Elham Asaad Buaras
The Chancellor of the University of St Andrews has upheld an appeal by Stella Maris, overturning the University Court’s decision to dismiss her from the court and remove her status as a trustee. The ruling, issued on April 29, concludes a process that began after Maris called for an immediate ceasefire and an end to Israel’s genocide against the Palestinian people.
Elected as Rector in October 2023 and having served on the University Court as the Rector’s Assessor since 2020, Maris was removed from her role by a Court resolution on July 29, 2024. The action followed a message she sent to students in November 2023, in which she condemned both Israel’s actions in Gaza and Hamas’s war crimes. Despite an independent investigation led by senior counsel Morag Ross KC, which found that removing Maris would be a disproportionate response, the university proceeded with the disciplinary action.
Israel is currently on trial for genocide at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which has already found the state in violation of international laws prohibiting apartheid and unlawful occupation.
Following her dismissal, Maris lodged an appeal with the Chancellor on August 13, 2024. Although the University initially challenged the Chancellor’s jurisdiction to hear the appeal in full, this was dismissed in a preliminary ruling on December 20, 2024. Chancellor Lord Menzies Campbell—former Liberal Democrat leader—affirmed his authority and ultimately ruled in Maris’s favour on May 1. He found that her actions did not justify removal and reinstated her as president of the University Court, allowing her to continue as Rector until her term concludes in October 2026.
Reacting to the decision, Maris said, “This decision is not only a vindication of my position but a defence of the fundamental principles of free expression and democratic 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.”
The ruling has been widely welcomed by students, academics, campaigners, and legal advocacy groups. Ben Jamal, Director of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC), described the Chancellor’s decision as “an important victory for all students and academic staff.” He added, “PSC has proudly supported Rector Stella Maris in her fight against attempts to undermine freedom of expression and academic freedom. The University of St Andrews and other universities should be speaking up for international law and human rights, not shielding Israel from accountability for its escalating genocidal violence against Palestinians.”
Tasnima, from the European Legal Support Centre—which supported Maris’s appeal—called the decision “a clear rebuke to the growing pattern of repression facing those who speak out for Palestinian freedom.” She said the ruling exposed “the cowardice of universities to stand up against legal threats and coordinated smear campaigns,” adding, “The reinstatement of Stella Maris proves that the attempt to quash this mass movement will not succeed.”
The disciplinary action against Maris had drawn intense backlash. Over 40 public figures, including economist Yanis Varoufakis, human rights lawyer Aamer Anwar, and filmmaker Peter Mullan, signed an open letter condemning her dismissal and accusing the university of “scapegoating her for doing and saying the right thing.” Within the university, a letter from the St Andrews Amnesty International Society gathered over 1,100 student signatures, while a University and College Union (UCU) petition calling for divestment from institutions complicit in “Israel’s genocide in Gaza” attracted over 1,000 signatures from staff and students.
Maris acknowledged the backlash she faced but stood firm in her stance. “I really tried to write a statement that would make everyone happy but realised I wasn’t being true to my beliefs,” she told BBC Scotland News. “I’m glad I did it, and it was the right thing to do.”
Since October 2023, Israel has systematically destroyed all universities in Gaza, a pattern UN expert have termed “scholasticide.” Research by the PSC reveals that UK universities invest nearly £460 million in companies complicit in these actions. Maris’s appeal became a focal point amid increasing concern over the suppression of Palestinian advocacy within UK academic institutions, where students and staff have reported harassment, disciplinary procedures, and visa threats for expressing solidarity with Palestine.
Her legal challenge was partly funded by a public campaign, with surplus funds pledged to support others facing institutional reprisals for engaging in protected political expression.
Despite the Chancellor’s ruling, a university spokesperson stated, “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.”
Photo: Stella Maris described her reinstatement to the University Court as a “vindication” for those who supported her after her dismissal over comments calling for an “end to Israel’s genocide.”
(Credit: The University of St Andrews/The Rector)
