Arwa Hanin Elrayess makes history as Oxford Union’s first female Arab president
Arwa Hanin Elrayess, representing the #ENGAGE slate, has made history by being elected President of the Oxford Union for Trinity Term 2026, becoming the first female Arab president and the first Palestinian president in the Union’s history. She secured 757 first-preference votes, around 150 more than runner-up Liza Barkova, in an election that saw 1,528 students cast their votes—a significant increase from the previous term, reflecting heightened engagement and competitiveness within Union politics.
Both Elrayess and Barkova are second-year PPE students and members of the Union’s Standing Committee. Elrayess studies at St Edmund Hall, while Barkova is at Christ Church.
The #ENGAGE slate achieved decisive victories across other officer roles. Harry Aldridge was elected Secretary with 700 votes, defeating Daniel Eldridge. Catherine Xu secured the position of Treasurer with 693 votes, ahead of Katie Pannick, while Prajwal Pandey was elected Librarian with 635 votes, surpassing Viraansh Bhanushali.
Campaign priorities
Elrayess campaigned on internal politics affecting Union governance, pledging to separate the governance of Debate Nights from other committee affairs to enhance the member experience. She also highlighted the Union’s precarious financial situation, proposing stricter financial oversight, transparent committee reporting, and impartial allocation of Union perks, including dinners and guest meet-and-greets.
Barkova focused on restoring stability and reputation, citing challenges including speaker withdrawals, falling membership, and financial strain. Her platform prioritised stabilising the Union, rebuilding trust, and ensuring a programme of high-quality speakers.
Union Elections Come After a Controversial Term
Voting was held on 28 November, from 9:30 am to 8:30 pm in the Union’s Goodman Library, following a term marked by internal disputes. Two no-confidence votes had been held earlier, targeting President-Elect George Abaraonye and then-President Moosa Harraj, intensifying the uncertainty within the Union.
The six members elected to the Standing Committee, ranked by votes, were: Dheeraj K. Singh, Milo Donovan, Vishnu Vadlamani, Oliver Douglas, Claire Luo, and Ben Ashworth, with Ellie Apostolidi finishing as runner-up.
The eleven members elected to the Secretary’s Committee, in order of votes, were: Henry Nicholls, Fadel Semane, Sara Lunawat, Matteo Brunel, Toby Lyon, Euan Willis, Adil Rahoo, Shahmir Aziz, Ea Marty, Daniel Ratajczyk, and Santiago Vazquez.
The Union had faced one of its most challenging periods in recent history, sparked by controversy surrounding George Abaraonye’s comments on the death of American activist Charlie Kirk. Following widespread criticism, Abaraonye faced a no-confidence vote before new elections were held, culminating in Elrayess’s historic victory.
Elrayess expresses gratitude
Speaking to The Oxford Student, Elrayess said:”I am grateful and humbled by the faith and trust the members of the Union have placed in me and my team. I want to thank all those who put aside their differences and came together to work towards a shared vision of this Union, which we all adore. It’s also an incredible honor to be the first Arab woman, and the first Palestinian, to hold this office in the Union’s history. I look forward to serving the members of this society in Trinity Term 2026.”
Elrayess’ election demonstrates the capacity of young Palestinian students to excel and make a historic mark in global academic institutions. Her leadership highlights the importance of combining institutional experience with a vision for renewal, particularly during periods of internal division and governance challenges.
Strengthening transparency, financial accountability, and student participation will be essential to preserving the Union’s reputation and ensuring it remains a platform for debate, learning, and social engagement.
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