Action was taken to address an anti-Semitic incident at York University which was called unacceptable by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Premier Doug Ford and Mayor John Tory.
But it was not the action that was expected.
Following an aggressive attempt to interrupt a pro-Israel event, York University has suspended Students Against Israeli Apartheid from operating on campus, pending a review.
But the university also informed the host of the Nov. 20 event, Herut Canada, it’s privileges — such as hosting events on campus — are being pulled.
“The preliminary internal review has led us to conclude that a more immediate intervention is needed with both Herut Zionism and Students Against Israel Apartheid (SAIA),” said a letter sent to both groups by the university.
Needless to say this did not go over well with Jewish leaders, who were still shaken after demonstrators recently disrupted an evening with reservists from Israel’s defence forces.
Toronto Police are investigating the demonstration in which protesters chanted “Viva, Viva Intifada.”
Among those expressing discomfort at this event were York students Ellen Borenstein, Hailey Merton and Gila Yefet, who all felt they were at risk because they’re Jewish.
“Only one of the two organizations suspended were chanting hateful messages and trying to get in the door to shut down a sanctioned event,” said Jewish Defence League National Director Meir Weinstein. “I consider this decision another obscene attack on the Jewish community.”
Aviva Polonsky, president of the Federation of Teachers in Hebrew Schools in Toronto — who has told the Toronto Sun she was “terrified” for her safety at the event — tweeted her outrage to York University “for not standing up to the #AntiSemite #bullies who were spreading hate and violence on campus.”
Added immigration lawyer Guidy Mamann: “Punishing the victim and her tormentors is not even-handed. It’s perverse.”
SAIA has yet to comment.
But in a Nov. 28 Toronto Sun column, SAIA supporters Mona Dennaoui and Hammam Farah wrote “if members of pro-Israel groups at York University have the freedom to host a lecture by members of a foreign military that violates the rights of York’s Palestinian students and their families, it must also be recognized that Palestinians at York and supporters of their rights have the freedom to peacefully express their opposition to this.” The column added they “will fight to protect (that right) should the university administration — or the government — seek to deprive us of it.”
The keyword is “peacefully.” This protest was not peaceful.
It may be the politically-correct and safe approach by York to suspend the organizer as well as the disrupter. But, by doing so, York makes it seem like both were fault.
University spokesman Yanni Dagonas explained they “did not make this decision lightly but we recognize the holding of certain events at this time could lead to further tensions.”
After “facilitated mediation that would establish mutually agreed upon processes for future events” the university is confident it will be able to restore “the withdrawn privileges,” said Dagonas.
The problem is, however, only one group tried to shut down a free speech event. Only one should be suspended.
Anti-Semitism is not only continuing in the Greater Toronto Area, it’s becoming more repugnant.
To think two MPs were in attendance at an event featuring children dancing to a song calling on people to replace their bracelets with “weapons” and “pull the trigger” against “the despicable ones.”
It happened Sunday at the Arab Palestine Association of Ontario (APAO) commemoration for the “International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People” at the Anapilis Hall on Stavebank Rd. in Mississauga.
“The indoctrination of children to glorify a life of violence is deeply disturbing,” said Michael Mostyn, chief executive officer of B’nai Brith Canada. “So long as Palestinian children are taught to ‘replace bracelets with weapons’ and ‘pull the trigger,’ true peace between Israelis and Palestinians will be near-impossible to achieve.”
But even more concerning is that in the audience were former Green Party leader Elizabeth May, MP for Saanich-Gulf Islands in British Columbia and Liberal MP Omar Alghabra, who represents Mississauga Centre.
May, Alghabra and the APAO have yet to respond to requests for comment.
Perhaps with the songs being in Arabic, some were not aware of their hostile, anti-Semetic language, including one Mostyn said called for “jihad” while “urging the commandos to make use of their rifles.”
But whatever the excuse, there’s just too much of this happening now. When it involves children as young as eight, somebody has to call it out. And it should not just be Jewish groups.
Said Mostyn: “The fact that these attitudes have apparently been imported to Canada is a cause for great concern.”
When such vile hatred is being presented by children in Mississauga before Members of Parliament, you better believe it’s a concern.
Please share this
No comments:
Post a Comment