TORONTO, ON (May 1, 2024) – Last week, Columbia University classes were cancelled after a pro-Palestinian encampment overtook and obstructed operations on its campus. As a result, these new and highly disturbing demonstrations of antisemitism have spread like wildfire across prestigious universities in the U.S. with similar encampments appearing at Yale, NYU, Harvard, and more. These encampments epitomize the rising tide of Jew hatred and antisemitism on postsecondary campuses, and have now emerged on Canadian university campuses, as well. The Universities of Ottawa, Victoria, Western Ontario, and Alberta have all seen encampments pop up this past week, while McGill University and the University of British Columbia have seen particularly prominent encampments erected. It should be noted that these encampments emerged during Passover, one of the holiest Jewish holidays, a time when many Jewish students were away from campus.
In the U.S., Jewish and Israeli students on the affected campuses have encountered horrifying chants including: “Yes, Hamas, we love you, we support your rockets too,” “It is right to rebel, Hamas give them hell,” and “burn Tel Aviv to the ground.” Protestors have also routinely obstructed access to campus, and actively prevented Jewish and pro-Israel students from stepping foot on their own campus. Perhaps most disturbingly, a woman with her face concealed by a Keffiyeh – hiding her identity while inciting violence against Jews – stood in front of American Jewish students waving Israeli flags and held a sign with an arrow pointing towards them that read, “Quassam’s next target,” referencing Hamas’armed military wing. This message makes it clear: she wishes death upon her Jewish-American peers.
Canadian university campuses are witnessing trends similar to those seen in the U.S., with encampments serving as hotbeds of antisemitic rhetoric. At McGill University, demonstrators within the encampment have not only called for boycotts and divestments from Israel, but have specifically targeted Jewish and Israeli students withaggressive and hostile rhetoric and chants, including “go back to Europe” and “all the Zionists are racist.” This demonstrates a hostility that transcends mere criticism of Israel. Similarly, at the University of British Columbia, the encampment, dubbed the “People’s University for Gaza,” displayed signs that read “Zionists f–ck off’ and “end Zionism by any means necessary.”
This concerning escalation on campus environments, where calls for violence and exclusion are becoming increasingly blatant, demands an immediate and fierce response from university administrators, law enforcement, and elected officials. What we have seen in the U.S. shows that complacency and appeasement have only led to the intensification of these hateful demonstrations, and in some instances, have resulted in physical violence against Jewish students, highlighting the urgent need for decisive action in Canada.
The unauthorized encampment at the University of British Columbia has prompted Premier David Eby to acknowledge concerns about the safety of Jewish students on campus. Moreover, UBC spokesman Matthew Ramsey emphasizedthat while the university supports free speech and peaceful protests, these activities must adhere to university policies and the law. He reiterated that hate and intolerance areunacceptable at UBC. While the university is in communication with the RCMP, no direct action has been taken to involve law enforcement in removing the encampment.
At McGill University, President Deep Saini has requested police assistance, as the encampment was declaredunauthorized and participants were asked to disband, citing its devolution into hate, antisemitism, and a threat to a safeand peaceful campus environment. Despite these directives, the protesters have vowed to stay until their demands are met. In response to these ongoing issues, a proposedinjunction brought forward by two McGill students sought to enforce a distance of at least 100 meters between protesters and the school’s buildings.
The recent decision by a judge to reject the request, however, is deeply concerning, as this ruling comes despitecompelling arguments that the pro-Palestinian encampmenthas created a “dangerous, hostile, aggressive and violentenvironment” at McGill. Lawyer Neil Oberman rightly emphasized that the behaviour exhibited does not align withCanadian, Québécois, or any acceptable values of society – values that reject hate, intimidation, and harassment. This verdict overlooks the immediate risks posed by theencampment and potentially sets a troubling precedent that could deter other institutions from taking decisive actionsagainst similar disruptions. It’s crucial for the university and judicial system to reconsider their approach and prioritizethe well-being and security of all students over a misplaced interpretation of free speech that allows for the proliferationof a hostile environment. This is not just a matter of protest – it’s about ensuring a safe educational space free from violence and hate.
StandWithUs Canada’s Executive Director Jesse Primeranocalled for action, saying: “These encampments represent thenext step on the ladder of escalations we’ve seen across thenation over the last seven months. The bold, fearless manner in which students are displaying signs and slogans that explicitly threaten Jewish students should be terrifying toany rational observer. Their egregious behaviour has created environments that jeopardize not only the safety of Jewish students, but also the academic principles of inclusivity andintegrity that are cornerstones of Canadian universities. University administrations must move beyond mere statements and warnings. The normalization of antisemiticbigotry demands decisive, tangible actions – whether it involves police dispersing unlawful protests, or the suspension or expulsion of students participating in such activities.”
We expect every Canadian university facing these issues toact swiftly and effectively. We are committed to supporting our Jewish and pro-Israel students and will rigorously hold university administrations accountable for their response to these hate-driven encampments.
