One of Oxford University's largest societies has condoned anti-semitic sentiments amongst its members in a controversial email sent by a former President from the society's official email account.
Alexandre Nikititch, a former President of Russian Society, was responding to an enquiry by Daniel Lowe, one of the co-ordinators of the event run by OUSU in association with Jewish Society, as to whether the Society would be interested in being involved in the organisation of events marking National Holocaust Memorial Day. Nikititch informed Lowe that he would have to decline the invitation, stating that "as some members of the Russian Society may have strong anti-semitic views, it will be inappropriate for our society as a body to promote or participate in organzing this memorial day".
Nikititch was "managing" the society's account during the holidays, due to a convention within the society that no President is officially responsible during vacation periods. Whilst his involvement was accepted, Nikititch was not formally appointed to this position and both the outgoing and incoming Presidents state that Nikititch was not acting under their authority. Nikititch however acknowledged to The OxStu that he was "speaking for the society".
The public release of the email subsequently provoked outrage amongst many students, given its official source. The current President, Alexander Sonic, contends that "it was a mistake that it [the email] was sent from the society's address" and that the email "does not reflect the views of Russian Society members".
Vladimir Bermant, co-President of Jewish Society, responded to The OxStu: "I am deeply offended as a Jew, but I also cannot believe that anti-semitism can prevent someone from participating in an educational anti-racism debate. Being a member of both Russian Society and Jewish Society, I feel that members of the Russian Society were cheated when the statement was made."
Nikititch defended his actions to The OxStu, saying: "My email wasn't meant to convey an anti-semitic message and was never intended to offend."
Although Rosie Buckland, OUSU's VP (Welfare), was unable to comment on individual cases, she did say: "OUSU condemns all forms of racism, anti-semitism and racist feeling and reminds students that the University views racist incidents very seriously."
Neither Russian Society nor Nikititch have offered a formal apology.