The Oxford Union, one of the United Kingdom’s oldest and most influential university societies, has elected a Palestinian student as its president for the first time in its 202-year history.
Arwa Hanin Elrayess, a Palestinian-Algerian student of Philosophy, Politics and Economics at St Edmund’s Hall, will lead the prestigious student body during the Trinity (summer) term of 2026.
She currently serves on the Union’s standing committee and has been actively involved in student organising and advocacy.
Elrayess also contributed to the creation of Heart of a Protest, a documentary that highlighted solidarity demonstrations for Palestine held in London.
Her historic win was celebrated widely, including by her family.
“Very proud of my daughter… for making history as the first Arab female, the first Palestinian, and the first Algerian to be elected President of the Oxford Union,” her father, Mohamed Elrayess, wrote in a LinkedIn post.
In the election, Elrayess secured 757 first-preference votes, 150 more than her nearest rival.
Voter turnout reached 1,528, noticeably higher than the previous term’s participation.
Founded in 1823, the Oxford Union is known for its flagship Q&A events featuring high-profile global figures, well-known competitive debates, and workshops that support public speaking and debating skills.
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