After years of struggle: The Open University Student Union withdraws from the National Student Union

The Open University Student Union has announced its withdrawal from the National Student Union after years of struggle. The background includes claims of underrepresentation, use of student funds for controversial political purposes, and a personal threat against chairperson Mai Hangal.

The Open University Student Union has announced its withdrawal from the National Student Union, an exceptional step taken after years of internal struggle. Union chairperson Mai Hangal sent the official resignation notice this morning, following approval by the union council. The union emphasizes that this is not a personal conflict or a specific dispute, but a deep crisis of trust centered on three main issues: underrepresentation of Open University students relative to the membership fees they pay, priorities and use of the union's resources, and organizational culture. At the heart of the dispute is a gap: the union represents approximately 46,000 to 47,000 students and pays about half a million shekels per year, but its voting power is calculated according to a representation formula that takes into account a significantly lower number. The union criticizes the National Student Union for investing resources in internal struggles and organizational politics instead of academic rights, cost of living, reserve duty, and housing. They also oppose the use of student funds for political campaigns, such as a budget framework of 182,000 shekels for a campaign on the conscription law. The crisis was compounded by a serious personal incident: a statement by a figure in the union referring to "rolling her body in a carpet" regarding Hangal, following which she filed a police complaint. Hangal emphasizes that the decision was not made out of anger, but out of a sense of responsibility for the tens of thousands of students she represents, and that the union will continue to operate vis-à-vis the Knesset, the government, and the Council for Higher Education.