WARMINGTON: Ugly anti-Israel protest at York University a hate crime?
Article content
“Viva Viva Intifada.”
This vile call to war and violence against Jewish people was not being chanted at a border point in Israel.
Recommended Videos
tap here to see other videos from our team.
WARMINGTON: Ugly anti-Israel protest at York University a hate crime? Back to video
tap here to see other videos from our team.
It came from anti-Israel protesters at Toronto’s York University.
The Jerusalem Post reports witnesses hearing “Intifada, Intifada, go back to the ovens.”
If this isn’t evil hate speech and incitement, what is?
Who are these protesters? Who funds them? Do they have criminal pasts?
It’s a dark day when people are blocked and shouted down for going to a planned, free-speech event — this time featuring speakers who served as reservists in the Israeli military.
“I am disappointed that York University allowed for a hate-filled protest to take place last night at Vari Hall,” tweeted Premier Doug Ford. “I stand with the Jewish students and the Jewish community. There is no place in Ontario for racism and hatred.”
Yet, there it was on full display.
Mayor John Tory tweeted: “I am very disturbed by the apparent polarization and violence evident from the events of last night at York University. . . . Anti-Semitism and violence are totally unacceptable.”
tap here to see other videos from our team.
Added Federal Conservative MP Michelle Rempel Garner: “I’ve had more e-mails about your (York University) campus and allegations of anti-Semitism than any other place in Canada. Your leadership team needs an immediate strategy to fix this problem.”
Liberal MP for York Centre Michael Levitt tweeted he was “shocked and appalled by the chaotic scenes of intimidation and anti-Semitism.”
But this was no surprise.
Students Against Israeli Apartheid made no secret of their intentions — tweeting the day before: “Join us tomorrow in protesting @yorkuniversity’s shameful decision to allow IDF soldiers on our campus! War criminals responsible for the continual dispossession of Palestinian land & violations of Palestinian rights shouldn’t be anywhere near our place of education.”
They also placed posters calling for Israeli soldiers to stay away from the campus.
The idea was to shut down the event. They did not succeed. Toronto Police stopped them. The Jewish Defence League and York University, too.
“The Toronto Police Service and York University should be commended for ensuring that this event could be safely held,” said Michael Mostyn, CEO of B’nai Brith Canada. “Enraged mobs cannot be allowed to prevent lawful and peaceful gatherings from taking place on campus.”
It’s great that leaders denounced what happened and that York University will set up a Freedom of Speech Working Group.
It’s not enough. Toronto Police need to investigate to determine if a hate crime occurred.
The four trespassing tickets issued are just not going to deter anti-Semitic aggression.
tap here to see other videos from our team.
Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information.