Students Combat Israel Apartheid Week
Posted on: March 2, 2010

Here is a message from Alan Winer, Chair, UJA Federation of Greater Toronto:

This week, on university campuses across Canada, those who seek to demonize Israel and question her right to exist are hosting the annual ritual called Israel Apartheid Week (IAW).  Coordinated by CIJA (Canadian Council for Israel and Jewish Advocacy) and supported by UJA Federation of Greater Toronto, Jewish student activists across the country are fully prepared to deal with IAW using social media, hard hitting printed material and dynamic speakers on campus.

This week, students are leading a campaign to counter deliberate distortions about Israel being promoted by IAW proponents.  Students are distributing “truth cards” and hosting well respected speakers, challenging the IAW portrayal of Israel.

Last week, prior to IAW, a campaign called Size Doesn’t Matter targeted the vast majority of students who have no opinion on the Middle East and are not aware of Israel’s positive contributions to the world. The campaign has attracted tens of thousands of Web site visitors and Facebook fans.

Recently, we have become concerned about fair treatment by York University for both those who oppose IAW and IAW proponents. Conditions were imposed on some pro-Israel speaking events this year that have not been imposed on IAW events, based on the university’s evaluation of security requirements.  If this is also a personal concern, please contact Patrick Monahan, the York University Provost at provost@yorku.ca.

You are also invited to attend any of these events presented by Hillel of Greater Toronto on GTA campuses.

  • Khaled Abu Toameh, Palestinian Affairs reporter for the Jerusalem Post, who recently broke a story about corruption in the Palestinian Authority. Today 7pm, Ryerson University, Library Building 72, 530 Victoria Street
  • Dr. Joel Kotek: Images and Extremism. Dr. Kotek, an expert on anti-Semitism and imagery, is author of the book “Cartoons and Extremism,” Wednesday, March 3 at 3 pm, Curtis Lecture Hall F, York University/ Thursday, March 4 at 11 am, Student Campus Centre, Room, 310, Ryerson University/ Wednesday, March 3 at 8 pm, Rm 230, Ontario College of Art and Design.
  • Kamal Saleem, Ex-terrorist: Rising Above Terror, a personal story. Wednesday, March 3 at 7 pm,  Innis Hall, University of Toronto/Thursday, March 4 at 4 pm, York University, Curtis Lecture Hall I

We are very proud of our Hillel students who are at the forefront of the battle against IAW proponents. Their initiatives are part of a well-considered national strategy, coordinated by CIJA, together with Canadian Jewish Federations.