‘Radicalism taking root on university campuses,’
warns B’nai Brith Canada in communiqué to police chiefs

B’nai Brith Canada
Tuesday, 24 February 2009

TORONTO, February 24, 2009 - B’nai Brith Canada has raised concerns with the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police over the inadequate policing of university campuses, which have become breeding grounds for promoting hatred against Jewish students.

“We are deeply concerned about events on campuses across Canada that have included intimidation and harassment of Jewish students, and even cases of assault,” said Frank Dimant, Executive Vice President of B’nai Brith Canada. “We are painfully aware of the inadequate reaction of police forces in such instances and seek concrete solutions to immediately remedy the situation.

“We are witnessing clear and emerging patterns of support for radicalism, civil disobedience, and ultimately violence, on university campuses. Anti-Israel demonstrations and other recent events have become increasingly vocal and provocative, moving beyond the rhetoric of violence to openly aggressive acts. While we are mindful of the constraints police face, including reluctant university administrations, this cannot be an excuse for the failure to act.

“Police hate crime units from across the country must be on high alert, especially in the event that university presidents fail to stop the hate fest known as Israeli Apartheid Week from coming to their campuses. We seek assurances that emergency measures will be put in place to safeguard students from openly hostile activity.”

More . . .

CUPE Ontario workers pass ‘racist’ boycott resolution

Written by the Jewish Tribune staff
Tuesday, 24 February 2009


WINDSOR – A committee of CUPE Ontario’s university workers passed a resolution on the weekend here calling for members at Ontario universities to boycott working with israeli educational institutions doing research that benefits Israel’s military.

The resolution, while not specifically pointed at individuals, is a form of racism; the only way to boycott Israeli institutions is to boycott Israeli academics, which is clearly discriminatory.

In fact, B’nai Brith Canada has labelled the resolution “discriminatory and racist.”

“Central to the boycott Israel resolution passed by CUPE is the notion that the Jewish state is somehow illegitimate,” said Frank Dimant, executive vice- president of B'nai Brith Canada. “It marginalizes its supporters here at home and disenfranchises CUPE members who are supportive of democratic Israel and its right to defend its citizens against terrorist groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah.

“CUPE has gone far afield of its mandate by pushing through a resolution that at its very core is racist, employs a double standard, and which seeks to put a stranglehold on genuine academic exchange.

“Followers of Israeli Apartheid Week and its fellow CUPE travellers are promoting hatred and advancing a discriminatory agenda that is at odds with Canadian values of tolerance, respect and human rights for all. We urge the wider CUPE membership to come forward to denounce this resolution and call on the Canadian public to do the same.”

On air Monday, Sid Ryan, president of CUPE Ontario, appearing to try to appease public opinion, told John Oakley’s Toronto radio audience that Israel is not an apartheid state, while at the same time continuing to criticize Israel’s activities on the West Bank. Clearly, this sends a confusing message to his membership.

Last Updated ( Wednesday, 04 March 2009 )