Jewish students say they live in a climate of fear at Concordia University where pro-Palestinian demonstrations have increased since the start of the Israel-Hamas war.
The situation is such that the University has had to take measures to increase security within its walls (see other text).
Several hostile outbursts against Israel took place, according to videos and images obtained.
- On November 8, during a scuffle, a young woman can be heard saying that she does not condemn Hamas. A protester can be seen tearing an Israeli flag off a table.
- On November 23, a person with a covered face chanted pro-Palestinian slogans, although a Concordia rule prohibits the wearing of clothing to mask one’s identity. A crowd notably chants “Viva Viva Intifada”. The Intifada, an Arabic word meaning “uprising”, refers in particular to two violent revolts by Palestinians in 1987 and 2000.
- On December 13, demonstrators gathered at Concordia to protest, among other things, the cancellation of an event on the history of the Intifada at Dawson CEGEP. A security guard can be heard saying that “taking them out of there might cause more problems” than letting them do so.
- In January, a group of pro-Israel students was asked by Concordia management to cancel, for security reasons, an event aimed at highlighting the holding of hostages by Hamas. However, the event still took place.
- In mid-January, several posters reading “Free Palestine, Intifada until Victory” with an image of a brandished fist were stuck on bulletin boards. The University waited until nightfall to remove them, according to our information.
Small posters reading “Free Palestine Intifada until Victory” appeared on university bulletin boards in January.
Courtesy photo
Climate of fear
“I was never afraid to say where I came from [d’Israël] when I had to show up in class, but now I don’t dare anymore,” said a Jewish student, who requested anonymity.
Another Jewish student studying at Concordia, who also requested anonymity, indicated that he had no longer attended his classes in person since October 7. As early as October 8, she said, she said she became aware of students celebrating Hamas attacks and feared for her safety.
Formal notice
A sign of the tension, a formal notice was sent last week by a Montreal law firm which says it represents a Jewish Concordia student who was not named for alleged security reasons.
The document alleges a series of failings by Concordia management, including its failure to investigate incidents of bullying and anti-Semitism.
“Concordia’s inability to act immediately and decisively is unacceptable,” insists the formal notice.
Concordia University was also recently targeted along with five other Canadian universities by a request for class action from an Ontario firm in connection with alleged anti-Semitism on its campus.
– On November 8, a lecturer at the University of Montreal specializing in Palestine was filmed insulting Jewish students during the scuffle at Concordia University. He was subsequently suspended.
University says it has received complaints
Concordia University says it has received complaints related to recent reported events and says it is following up on them.
“Complaints and the processes provided for by the Code [des droits et des obligations de Concordia] are confidential, but we can confirm that the University is following up on complaints filed following recent events,” said Vannina Maestracci, spokesperson for the establishment, in response to a question.
The latter added that additional measures had recently been taken to ensure the safety of students.
These measures include in particular “increased surveillance of events and demonstrations […]adding additional staff if necessary, meetings with student groups and the creation of a committee specialized in mediation and conflict resolution,” she indicated.
Concordia also says it has “clearly condemned anti-Semitism and any form of violence or intimidation”.
Anti-Semitism
The University says it is working on a soon-to-be-launched anti-hate campaign that will focus first on anti-Semitism.
Since November 8, an active listening initiative has also been launched, according to Concordia, in order to “help members of the community cope with certain events that may upset them.”
Furthermore, the University denied having wanted to completely cancel an event aimed at highlighting the detention of hostages by Hamas in January, but only wanted to change the date or location, because another pro-Palestinian event was planned next door.
“Given what happened on November 8, we requested that the events take place at different times,” said Mr.me Maestracci.