A poor display on Canadian campuses

Universities across Canada have never been particularly hospitable toward Israel, but they take it a step further with Israel Apartheid Week, which took place earlier this month. The annual event has proven to be a frightful time for Jewish students, who find themselves faced with anti-Semitism on their campuses.

Although this week is widely known as being anti-Israel, it’s hardly the only time that anti-Jewish and anti-Zionist ideas have been evident on campus. Perhaps one of the most prominent examples occurred on Feb. 11 at York University when pro-Palestinian protesters gathered in front of the York Hillel offices to voice their opinions against Israel (under the guise of protesting efforts to impeach the student council).

It got to a point where those inside were blocked from exiting the Hillel office, and the entire atrium was crowded with people chanting anti-Israel and anti-Jewish slogans, going so far as to call Israel a “Nazi state.” Police were called to the scene, but no arrests were made. Fortunately, nobody was hurt, but Jewish students’ security and safety on campus was certainly diminished.

Sadly, this is an obstacle that many Jewish students must face, and it leaves many of them frightened. Considering that Toronto has a large Jewish population, both living in the city and attending school from out of town, this means that a large percentage of students are uncomfortable on campus.

Campuses have gone from being relatively one-dimensional academic fora to being the backdrop of many political protests – a trend that dates back to at least the 1960s, to the widely publicized anti-war protests during the U.S. war in Vietnam. The danger with these latest protests is in how they affect Jewish students, and even deter them, by intimidation, from their studies, which, of course, is what universities are meant for.

At my school, the University of Ottawa, flyers depicting an Israeli helicopter gunship shooting at a Palestinian child labelled “Gaza” were displayed on campus to raise awareness for Israeli Apartheid Week. The school ultimately banned the poster from appearing on campus, but it could be found elsewhere nearby, and the damage had already been done by the time the posters were taken down. If this poster had been displayed off campus, such as at a place of employment, workers would be allowed to file a complaint that it was offensive and creates a poisoned work environment, and everyone is entitled to a safe working environment and place of study.  

Freedom of speech is important and a part of every Canadian citizen’s rights, but in the past, courts have set clear precedents in creating safe environments for work and study for everyone. Having this shamefully misleading poster appear at and around the University of Ottawa places the school under a dark cloud, overshadowing its many positive attributes and accentuating the negative ones.

Amidst the anti-Israel sentiment that echoed throughout Ottawa and Canada during Israeli Apartheid Week, there were a few glimmering lights of hope. Jewish groups on Ottawa campuses did their best to provide a safe haven for Jewish students and an alternative to constant Israel-bashing.

Chabad, in particular, has stepped up and provided a great environment for Jewish students. Rabbi Chaim Boyarsky, along with a plethora of youthful helpers, including Chabad student president Adam Berktin, have helped provide a place for Jewish students from out of town to gather on Shabbat for traditional prayers and food. Rabbi Boyarsky, and his wife, Yocheved, have also provided students with chances to gather and discuss theology, as well as life, in an open environment.

How did they react to the Israeli Apartheid Week protests on a campus that they’re so familiar with? They just kept on spreading Jewish cheer by setting up a booth in the midst of the hostility to assist students with putting on tfillin and preparing for Purim festivities. They sent a strong message that we stand together as Jews and will not be intimidated.