Chicago – December 07, 2025
The Oxford Union, one of the world’s most prestigious student debating societies, has elected Palestinian‑Algerian student Arwa Hanin Elrayess as its president for Trinity Term 2026, marking the first time a Palestinian has held the role in the institution’s more than 200‑year history.
Elrayess, who studies philosophy, politics and economics at St Edmund Hall, secured 757 first‑preference votes, finishing 150 votes ahead of the runner‑up in a contest that drew a turnout of 1,528 members, notably higher than the previous term’s election.
Her father, Mohamed Elrayess, hailed the result as historic, noting that his daughter is also the first Arab woman and the first Algerian to be elected president of the Union. Beyond student politics, Elrayess contributed to the zero‑budget documentary “Heart of a Protest”, which chronicles pro‑Palestine demonstrations in London following Israel’s assault on Gaza.
In a statement after the vote, Elrayess said she was “grateful and humbled” by the confidence shown in her and her team, and thanked students who set aside their differences to support a shared vision for the Union. She currently serves on the Union’s standing committee and will oversee a term known for high‑profile debates and speaker events when she takes office in summer 2026.
