York University and CUPE Distinguishing Themselves Again

"Let us collectively divert this week's tutorials to teaching on Palestinian liberation."

"[Tutorials should be diverted to condemnation of the] Zionist Israeli state [regardless of the course that the TA is supposed to be discussing]."

"It is a medical issue. An arts issue. A feminist issue. A society issue. A political issue. A cultural issue. A geography issue. An engineering issue. An architecture issue."

15-page document issued by CUPE 3903 union representing contract and part-time faculty at York University, Toronto

Detail from an official "toolkit" distributed to York University contract and part-time faculty which claims that their employer is complicit in "genocide" by the mere tolerance of Jewish groups on campus. Photo by A Toolkit on Teaching Palestine

The document considered to be a new tool kit circulated to York University teaching assistants gives them instructions on denouncing Israel, and to make their own opportunities to do so, ignoring such condemnations' lack of relevance to any academic study's subject matter. The document points out a salient fact, that the very presence of Jewish groups on campus presents as evidence of "complicity" in genocide at York University.

The very existence of sanctioned "Zionist cultural institutions" in explicit reference to a Hillel chapter, one of a multitude of such chapters around the world on university campuses representing the interests of Jewish students, is indication enough of the university's culpability, points out the document. But then, it also calls out York as an accessory to genocide related to its research links with the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

 

Part of a speech that TAs are given to read out before informing students that regular discussions of course work have been cancelled. Photo by A Toolkit on Teaching Palestine

A script is provided for teaching assistants to read out while informing students the tutorial is to be cancelled in favour of a substitute "teach-in ... for liberation". "Today, I open up our classroom to bring our attention to Gaza, to speak up and stand in solidarity with the Palestinian liberation movement, and contribute in ending Canada's and York's complicity with genocide and the settler-colonial occupation of Palestinian land and life", the introductory line reads.

The document comes complete with the CUPE 3903 logo, redrawn to include the Palestinian flag. Should students object to their "political work" and "community organizing", the TAs are  told the union will come to their aid to protect them from reprisal: "If you are facing reprisals, harassment, or discrimination -- or believe that you might be -- get in touch with CUPE 3903 as soon as  you can", it urges.

CUPE 3903 has a long history, predating the current Israel-Hamas conflict, of organizing events and publishing literature slandering Israel and harassing Jewish students. Its literature accuses Israel of genocide, "apartheid", and alternately as an illegitimate colony whose fate should be annihilation. Following hard on the heels of the October 7 attacks in southern Israel, the union asserted Israel had brought the massacres on as a result of "apartheid, genocide, and state-sanctioned violence".

Canada, by association, was a purveyor of "settler-colonial violence". A local representing McMaster University -- CUPE 3906 -- issued an overtly pro-terror statement even as the October 7 killings were ongoing: "Palestine is rising, long live the resistance", a social media post issued by the ocal in concert with the first news reports arriving in Canada about mass shootings in Israel close to the Gaza border.

Both union locals claimed to have been subject to "intimidation and silencing of pro-Palestinian voices in Canada". The very day following the sadistic savagery of October 7, CUPE Ontario president Fred Hahn posted a Thanksgiving Day message that he was thankful for "the power of resistance around the globe. Resistance brings progress, and for that I'm thankful", he stated. 

 

York University stands out as a hotbed of pro-Hamas activities.The York Federation of Students characterized the October 7 attacks as a "strong act of resistance", adding "resistance against colonial violence is justified and necessary", hinting at the same time that Canada itself is deserving of such actions. "This is 'decolonization' and 'land-back' actualized", said the statement.

York University's Osgoode Hall Law School saw faculty hugely represented in a November petition signed by over 700 Canadian lawyers and law students, the petition message being that the attacks required to be 'contextualized'.

On Oct. 23, an “All Out for Gaza” protest began outside of Vari Hall, led by the Palestinian Solidarity Collective (PSC). Other unions, like the York Federation of Students (YFS) and CUPE 3903, attended the protest.   Photo Jeanette Williams

Using The Law To Sue Against Antisemitism

Pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian demonstrators clash in the halls of York University in Toronto on Nov. 20. (Alex Rose/The CJN)

"Behaviour that encourages hatred, violence, discrimination or interferes with the educational atmosphere, as stated in the 'Code of Students Rights and Responsibilities', reflects a breach in the University's responsibility."

"Section 319 of the Criminal Code categorizes the public incitement of hatred, the deliberate promotion of hatred, and the intentional promotion of antisemitism as criminal offences."

Sandra Zisckind, managing partner, Diamond and Diamond Lawyers

 

"Unfortunately, the hatred toward the Jewish community, which dramatically increased after October 7, continues to be prevalent on college and university campuses, including McMaster [University]."

"This lawsuit seeks to establish and enforce effective, and enduring measures to guarantee a safe, supportive and tolerant educational setting for all students, irrespective of their race, religion, or ethnicity."

Brooke Goldstein, founder, executive director, The Lawfare Project

A pedestrian walks past McMaster University signage on Toronto's Bloor Street West, Thursday October 19, 2023. Photo by Peter J. Thompson/National Post

On behalf of Jewish students attending McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, which has distinguished itself as a veritable hotbed of antisemitic action, a $77 million class-action lawsuit has been undertaken, charging the school and the McMaster Students Union, with virulent hatred and threats faced by Jewish students arising from antisemitic rhetoric that has been rife on campus since the Hamas terrorist attack in southern Israel of October 7, 2023.

Among other issues cited in the lawsuit was that of an organized vigil by Jewish student groups having been forced to move to a publicly undisclosed location in the interests of security in a climate of threat and intimidation. Also at issue, a McMaster teaching assistant who was involved in a public display of a swastika during a pro-Palestinian protest on Parliament Hill.

The firm of Diamond and Diamond Lawyers filed the class action suit acting on behalf of plaintiffs encompassing all Jewish students enrolled at the present time at McMaster University and including Jewish students who are now graduates from the past two years. The University's Students Union, according to the lawsuit, has actively supported the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement since 2015, maintaining its support for on-campus activities of the movement.

A movement, according to a statement describing the BDS movement, by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as "antisemitic and contrary to Canadian values". However, on the evidence clear enough by the ruling Liberal government's lack of action in view of more recent 'pro-Palestinian' protests taking place all over Canada by organized Palestinian Student Groups not sufficiently 'contrary to Canadian values' -- even when chants of "From the river to the sea" denoting the destruction of Israel, or "gas the Jews" ring out, orchestrated along with signage reading "Free Palestine"-- for any remedial action to take place.

The Lawfare Project, an organization dedicating itself to the protection of the civil and human rights of Jewish communities through legal action, inspired the lawsuit in a partnership. This is a lawsuit that pairs with another $15 million class-action lawsuit that Diamond and Diamond previously filed last October against York University for much the same reasons. Both universities are outstanding in their support of antisemitic rhetoric in a devoted nod to the 'woke' DEI atmosphere that permeates both.

Both York University and the York Federation of Students are targeted by that lawsuit, that represents current students and recent alumni as well as school attendees from 1998 to 2021, with the claims that the plaintiffs have been threatened with physical violence, sufficiently effective to force the Jewish students to shield their Jewish identity in an effort to avoid harassment.

McMaster University says it's committed to providing a safe and welcoming environment to all staff and students. (Michael To/CBC)

Peace Activists, Above The Law

"Throughout, York University has consistently emerged as an unambiguous focal point. It was the York Federation of Students that issued a statement in the immediate aftermath of the massacres deeming them a 'justified and necessary' act of 'resistance'. 'Chant sheets' distributed by the federation at protests also contain calls of 'long live the intifada!'; a reference to violent Palestinian uprisings against Israel."

"York University law faculty were disproportionately represented in a mid-November petition asserting that the massacres should be 'contextualized', rather than condemned."

"And CUPE locals representing York University staff have issued multiple statements accusing Israel of 'genocide' and 'apartheid', while making no mention whatsoever of the Oct.7 massacres that sparked the current conflict. 'We remain dedicated to fighting against Canada's own settler-colonial violence' reads one comment [from the union]."

Tristin Hopper, Journalist, National Post

 

"We know that fighting antisemitism requires fighting anti-Palestinian racism and all forms of interlocking oppressions; none of us will be free until all of us are free."

Naomi Klein protest faction advisory 

Red paint and posters on an Indigo bookstore in Toronto accusing CEO Heather Reisman of "funding genocide." Photo by Photo by Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Centre

Three York University staff members were arrested by police connecting them with vandalism of an Indigo bookstore in Toronto. They wore reflective vests and splashed red paint on the flagship store for the very particular purpose of accusing its CEO Heather Reisman of "funding genocide". Posters were pasted to the windows with that neat little accusation. In total, eleven people were arrested for what police deemed "hate-motivated mischief".

 

Following the arrests when names were released, three were identified as employees of York University. One, an associate professor. This was obviously publicity the school was less than pleased with, responding by placing the three on leave. A statement was released by the administration to the effect that its commitment to "free speech and open dialogue" did not embrace unlawful violations.

 

This led to 200 faculty and students walking out, characterizing the suspensions as "an effort to repress Palestine solidarity peace activism". The walkout was organized by a "coalition of York faculty", which took to carrying signage and distributing pamphlets for the walkout reading "Stop campus reprisals! Reinstate them NOW! Permanent ceasefire NOW!" 

 

 

"Canada Stop Arming Israel" banners were carried by protesters who massed outside the Toronto Police 52 Division downtown location with demands that the charges be dropped. Social activist Naomi Klein is set to head another demonstration outside the Indigo location at Bay and Bloor streets to put up additional posters denouncing "police intimidation tactics against peace activists". 

The protesters insist that the use of posters and ed paint to accuse a bookstore CEO of genocide is perfectly "legitimate and necessary" and should, moreover, be defended by administrators at York University. "Many faculty members are outraged that the administration has suspended these individuals rather than defending them publicly", huffed York  University associate professor Anna Zalik who specializes in critical development studies.

Indigo has been targeted by the Canadian Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement meant to boycott any business enterprise with connections to the State of Israel. Reisman co-founded the HESEG Foundation, a Canadian-registered charity funding tuition of former "lone soldiers", foreign volunteers who join the Israeli Defense Forces.

This, according to the logic of the demonstrators, makes Indigo complicit in "war crimes", a "genocidal campaign" and "profiteering from Israeli war crimes". The Toronto police were denounced for "grotesque use of inflammatory language accusing the vandalism of connections to hate". The assertion is sanctimoniously put forward that simply accusing Israel and its supporters of genocidal war criminality cannot be interpreted as antisemitic. How can anyone reason with such logic?

On Nov. 10 the Indigo store at the intersection of Bay and Bloor streets in Toronto was found splashed with red paint and plastered with posters featuring the company’s CEO and founder, Heather Reisman.  Adam Cohen