6 October 2024

Amidst the grim news of aggression against Palestinians in the Middle East and their supporters in the West, we can report that Shahd Abusalama, a Palestinian born in a refugee camp in Gaza, has obtained some justice in her legal action against her former employer, Sheffield Hallam University.

Press Release: Shahd Abusalama wins significant victory against Sheffield Hallam University over leaked confidential details

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

London, 4 October 2024 – In a significant victory, Shahd Abusalama, the prominent Palestinian academic, activist and artist, has reached a settlement agreement with Sheffield Hallam University (SHU) for an undisclosed sum, including payment of 100% of her reasonably incurred legal costs. This brings an end to Dr Abusalama’s long-running legal battle in which she alleged that the University shared confidential and derogatory information about her with third parties, including politicians and The Jewish Chronicle, which is in crisis following the publication of fabricated stories justifying Israel’s war on Gaza.

Dr Abusalama was born and raised in Jabalia Refugee Camp in the besieged Gaza Strip. In January 2022, she was appointed as a lecturer at Sheffield Hallam University and almost immediately, she faced a campaign of defamation and silencing from pro-Israel, right-wing organisations protesting her employment. SHU subjected Dr Abusalama to multiple investigations but she was cleared of all wrongdoing in an independent report by Akua Reindorf KC. Nevertheless, the parties agreed to part ways in October 2022 in a confidential agreement.

However, according to court documents submitted on Dr Abusalama’s behalf, between August and November 2022, SHU was preparing briefings against her to various third parties, including Members of Parliament, current Government Ministers and the media. This information led to a damaging article published by The Jewish Chronicle on 08 November 2022, which included comments from the University’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Richard Calvert, in a breach of the confidential agreement. However, the University withheld the fact that Dr Abusalama had already been exonerated by Ms Reindorf KC’s independent report. The Jewish Chronicle article claimed, and the University denied, that senior University officials had reached out to the outlet specifically to discuss Dr Abusalama’s case.

The leaked details, which included information about Dr Abusalama’s departure from SHU, were revealed in the piece alongside details of the University’s new campus in the £8bn Brent Cross development.

Shahd Abusalama said:
“This case is fundamentally about the right to challenge Israel’s longstanding domination of the Palestinian people without fear of reprisal from those in positions of power. At a time when I thought I was agreeing to part ways with Sheffield Hallam amicably, I now know the University was suppressing the report which exonerated me, and smearing me to disreputable outlets that legitimate Israel’s genocide of my people. The end of this case represents one less injustice to endure during an active Western-backed Israeli genocide, which has led to the displacement of my family, the burning of our home and killing, maiming and starvation of our people.
This victory is not just personal. It is a victory against attempts to silence advocates for justice in Palestine, including through the IHRA definition of antisemitism, a tool designed to protect Israel rather than combat anti-Jewish bigotry. Although the University has failed to verbally admit its wrongdoing, its latest actions speak louder than its lack of words – in particular its agreement to pay my legal costs, usually only payable by an unsuccessful party. My case highlights the multifaceted racisms and structural vulnerability that Palestinians are subjected to in Britain on a daily basis. But it also, highlights that if we organise collectively and fight back, we can win.”

Dr Abusalama was represented by Liana Wood at Leigh Day who instructed Michael Sprack. She was also supported by the European Legal Support Center (ELSC).