Press Release
Feb. 12, 2009
Hillel@York, Hasbara@York and the Canadian Centre for Israel Activism, representing Jewish students at York University, strongly condemn the violent behavior and intimidation tactics targeting Jewish students that have taken place in the past 24 hours on campus.
For the second time in a week, Toronto police were called on campus as anti-Israel organizers isolated and threatened Jewish students. During a news conference held by a coalition of diverse students to impeach the York Federation of Students, anti-Israel organizers shut down the announcement, yelling anti-Semitic slurs and physically intimidating Jewish students. Shortly after, they barricaded Jewish students at Hilllel’s lounge on campus, continuing to threaten students. Toronto police officers escorted the students out of the office to ensure their safety.
Among the slurs shouted by those barricading Hillel’s office were “Die bitch, go back to Israel”, “Die Jew, get the hell off campus”, “F-king Jew” “racists off campus”.
Last week, police were called during a physical altercation by an anti-Israel activist.
“The climate on York’s campus of aggressive intimidation, violent rhetoric and physical harassment is unacceptable”, said Daniel Ferman, president of Hillel@York.
“The hostile environment demonstrates contempt for all students – not only to Jewish students, who are still trying to recover from a three month strike and for the university itself,” said Aaron Rosenberg.
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