Stella Maris

Stella Maris was dismissed from her roles as president of the university court and charity trustee after sending the email to students in November 2023, in which she called for an immediate ceasefire.

The university court had sought advice from Morag Ross KC – now Lady Ross – who advised that dismissal would be “disproportionate”, but took the decision regardless.

With support from the European Legal Support Center (ELSC), which works exclusively on behalf of groups and individuals advocating for Palestine, Ms Maris appealed the decision to the university’s chancellor, Lord Campbell of Pittenweem, in August 2024.

Lord Campbell has now ruled in Ms Maris’ favour, The National reports.

Welcoming the ruling, Ms 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.

“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.”

Tasnima Uddin of the European Legal Support Center said: “This victory is 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.

“This case shows the disturbing pattern of Zionist lobby groups’ use of legal threats, coordinated smear campaigns, and institutional pressure to dox and intimidate Palestine solidarity in academia, but also show the cowardice of universities to stand up against those pressures and protect the fundamental rights of their staff and students.

“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 to challenge censorship, defend fundamental rights, and expose the complicity in Israeli apartheid and settler-colonial violence.”

A spokesperson for St Andrews University 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.”