CIJA Demands Reversal of University of Windsor’s Agreements with Hateful Encampment and BDS Groups welcomes Government of Canada decision to host Emergency Summit on Antisemitism


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CIJA DEMANDS REVERSAL OF UNIVERSITY OF WINDSOR’S AGREEMENTS WITH HATEFUL ENCAMPMENT AND BDS GROUPS
Ottawa, ON – July 12, 2024 – Upon learning that the University of Windsor signed two appalling agreements to end the hateful encampment on university grounds, CIJA took swift action to support the local campus community and federation on this critical matter. We also communicated directly with the university's senior administration.
In response to the University's actions, the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs released the following statement:
"The administration should have prioritized the interests of the wider University of Windsor community rather than capitulating to unrepresentative, extremist demonstrators. Instead, the administration needlessly negotiated with promoters of hate, surrendered to the demands of bullies, and rewarded discriminatory behaviours. These agreements reflect the most radical demands from encampment and pro-Hamas groups.
"Rather than fostering open and constructive dialogue, the agreements only serve to further polarize opinions and perpetuate tensions on campus. Academic institutions should promote the exchange of ideas and mutual understanding rather than adopting policies and positions that exacerbate conflict. These agreements directly contradict the university’s own commitment on October 23, 2023, which seeks to "avoid adopting institutional stances on intricate political or global issues that fall beyond its immediate purview of education, research, and scholarship."
"Preventing academic collaborations with Israeli universities "until Palestinian self-determination is realized" goes against the fundamental principles of academic freedom. Moreover, it places the burden of Palestinian statehood solely on Israel while ignoring the Palestinian leadership's refusal to recognize Israel's right to exist, a factor over which Israeli universities have no control.
"These agreements were signed without input from crucial stakeholders, including student and faculty representatives of the mainstream Jewish community. The harm caused by aligning with the hateful BDS strategy is inescapable. And, to be clear, the proponents of BDS seek to erase the Jewish connection to the land of Israel, a fundamental component of Jewish identity for the majority of Canadian Jews and Jews worldwide.
"The University of Windsor must immediately reverse these agreements and prevent harm by ensuring institutional policies secure a safe and open campus for all."
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