PSC Executive Committee Officer candidates and Ordinary Member nominations
Below is list of candidates stood for Officer and Ordinary member posts of the PSC Executive Committee, the officers are all unopposed and there are 7 candidates for the 8 ordinary member positions.
Executive Commitee Officer 2022 nominations
Chair
Kamel Hawwash
The Palestinians faced an escalation of oppression in 2021 and looked to PSC, as a key solidarity organisation, to mobilise support for their struggle. PSC rose to that challenge. We mobilised major demonstrations in May and further developed our campaigning. We grew our membership and added more staff to advance our work. I was proud to be a part of PSC’s efforts and if elected again as Chair, I will do everything I can to help PSC grow our campaigning in support of the Palestinians in their legitimate struggle to attain freedom, justice, and equality.
Proposer: Chris Kamis
Seconder: Martin Sullivan
Vice-Chair
Louise Regan
I am the current Vice Chair of PSC, the chair of Nottingham PSC branch and a NEU national officer. I have been centrally involved in organising demonstrations, meetings, campaigns and fundraisers for Palestine in Nottingham. I have also attended and spoken at national rallies and events. I have led a number of trade union delegations to Palestine. I have been active in the child prisoners campaign speaking at meetings and organising trade union events. I am absolutely committed to campaigning for justice for the Palestinian people, particularly building the BDS campaign through the trade union movement and civil society.
Proposer: Bernard Regan
Seconder: Angie Mindel
Secretary
Ben Soffa
I’m seeking re-election as Secretary to continue building PSC’s strength and impact. We must expose the apartheid reality Israel has created, reaching beyond our existing base to translate sympathy into effective action. This requires a broad, outward-facing campaign which keeps its focus on challenging the Israeli state’s racism and its continued denial of rights. I bring years of campaigning experience but also professional skills which help PSC develop – from writing the software that powers our online actions to designing our join/donate platform that delivers so much of our income, I wish to continue serving our movement.
Proposer: Kamel Hawwash
Seconder: John Ellis
Treasurer
John Ellis
I am a chartered accountant who has worked primarily with the not-for-profit sector for over forty years. I was Treasurer for Rock Against Racism and am currently director of a charity that uses photography to highlight identity, representation, human rights & social justice. This involvement has made me aware of the difficulties experienced by voluntary organisations, particularly in the current financial and political climate. I have worked with PSC for many years and feel passionately about the injustice suffered by the Palestinian people and would be honoured if re-elected Treasurer.
Proposer: Kamel Hawwash
Seconder: Ben Soffa
Trade Union Liaison Officer
Simon Dubbins
I am the Director of International for Unite the Union and been an active member of PSC for many years. For the last twelve months I have served as PSC’s Trade Union Officer been a member of the PSC Executive. My union has a proud record of active solidarity work with the Palestinians and in my role as Trade Union Officer I have sought to further strengthen and develop real solidarity throughout the wider trade union movement. With your support I would like to continue working towards this goal in the coming year.
Proposer: Mark Beacon
Seconder: Kamel Hawwash
Ordinary Members (8 Places)
Iyas Al Qasem
I chair Kingston & Richmond PSC, and am lucky to work with an active and dedicated committee. Last year, it was my privilege to chair the group assigned to take the AGM online. This year, I had a similar privilege chairing the working group to redraft the PSC constitution. My fortunate knack seems to be that I can support great people to work together to do challenging things. At work, I help company leaders implement values-led strategies, and in my spare time, run a small charity supporting Palestinian children in refugee camps or under occupation. I am Palestinian from Nablus.
Proposer: Salim Alam
Seconder: Sorcha Thomson
Sybil Cock
I have been an energetic member of the EC, and a PSC volunteer, for several years and feel I have more to contribute. My priorities are local campaigning with my branch in East London and pushing the Israeli Apartheid narrative in as many arenas as possible. It is important that PSC is guided by the voices of activists on the ground, and that we also give full support to our excellent staff. I have helped to set p new branches. In the next year I hope again to facilitate visits of Trades Unionists to Palestine, and visiting speakers, especially women.
Proposer: Miriam Scharf
Seconder: Guy Shennan
Ed McNally
I’m standing for re-election to help make PSC even bigger and stronger in 2022. It’s been a privilege to serve on the EC during an important year of growth for PSC. I’ve consulted on the development of our political strategy and trade union liaison work, assisted with youth & student organising, and been proudly involved in coordinating speakers for the massive demos.
Proposer: Kamel Hawwash
Seconder: Averil Parkinson
Bernard Regan
Current PSC Executive Committee Member. Enfield Branch. Activist for 40 years. Former PSC Trade Union Liaison Officer. I have spoken on webinars and in schools, universities, Labour Party, and trade unions. Author ‘The Balfour Declaration’ (Verso). I wrote the groundbreaking 2006 TUC motion on Palestine. I have worked to build a broad-based inclusive campaign, like the Anti-Apartheid Movement, to end British government complicity in the oppression of the Palestinians. I would like the Branch Forum to be used to exchange ideas and information on
how to reach out to wider groups like Black Lives Matter and Climate Change activists.
Proposer: Kamel Hawwash
Seconder: Louise Regan
Neha Shah
I’m seeking re-election to the EC to continue building PSC’s impact and strength. I bring campaigning experience as a committed member of Oxford PSC, PSC’s Youth and Student committee and as an NEU activist. I am also an experienced anti-racist and migrant justice organiser.
Proposer: Iyas Al Qasem
Seconder: Pam Parsons
Julia Simpkins
As a member of Manchester PSC and have been active locally in the action to close the Elbit factory in Oldham. In May we held the largest demonstration ever seen in Bolton town square during the increased bombing of Gaza. I visited Palestine with two NEU delegations and several times alone to bring a group of Palestinian children to Bolton. I have addressed many groups around the country on the situation in Palestine. I am the vice chair of the NEU’s International Solidarity Officers forum. I seek re-election and want to continue working to support the people of Palestine.
Proposer: Eileen Murphy
Seconder: Sue Piper
Alex Snowden
As Chair of Newcastle PSC since 2009, I have been centrally involved in organising many demonstrations, conferences, fundraisers, campaigns and public meetings for Palestine in north-east England. This includes important marches and rallies in Newcastle last May. I have a long record of organising in Stop the War Coalition and am international solidarity officer in my National Education Union branch. I am a current PSC Executive Committee member, committed to helping PSC become
the mass anti-apartheid movement we need. Top priorities include a sustained focus on BDS campaigns, popularising the apartheid narrative and building alliances, especially with trade unions.
Proposer: Louise Regan
Seconder: Sybil Cock