Concordia University

By Joel Goldenberg

The recent response by Canadian universities to MPs that calling for the genocide of Jews violates Codes of Conduct and other issues does not match the reality on the ground, specifically at Concordia University, says the group StartUp Nation. Concordia denies this is the case. The university has received legal demand letters from attorney Neil Oberman, senior partner at Spiegel Sohmer, on behalf of Jewish students who accuse the university of allowing rampant antisemitism by pro-Hamas students that have included physical attacks on Jews.

Legal action has been launched against Concordia and other universities, calling for action against hate on campus.The group StartUp Nation organized last November’s pro-Israel rally at Concordia University, which took place after pro-Israel students were assaulted verbally and phsyically by pro-Hamas individuals.

The StartUp Nation letter, addressed to MPs Anthony Housefather, Ben Carr, Marco Mendicino, Anna Gainey and outgoing MP David Lametti, pointed out that “tensions on university campuses have skyrocketed since the brutal terrorist attack by Hamas on Israel on Oct. 7, and we congratulate you for reaching out to university leadership across Canada to gain a better understanding of the steps they are taking to fight hatred and racism and ensure students feel safe on their campuses.

“More needs to be done, and we are looking to elected officials like you to show leadership and to speak out,” wrote StartUp Nation founder Anastasia Zorchinsky and Vice President, External Affairs Michael Eshayek.

The two added that “unfortunately, there is a significant discrepancy between the answers provided and our on the ground reality. “To be clear, the administration is failing to implement its own policies. While we welcome the administration stating that ‘calling for genocide against the Jewish people . . . constitute a violation of Concordia’s University’s Code of Rights and Responsibilities,’ until now this policy has not been enforced. For example, posters have appeared on campus declaring ‘Free Palestine! Intifada Until Victory!’ At the November demonstration in the Engineering, Computer Science and Visual Arts Integrated Complex (EV Building) an enormous map appeared as a backdrop where Israel has been removed. Demonstrators frequently chant ‘from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free’ and call upon, among other things, for the university to ‘cease exchange programs with Israeli institutions and cut ties with current and future Zionist donors.’”

Zorchinsky and Eshayek wrote that Concordia’s Code of Rights and Responsibilities “forbids demonstrators from hiding their faces by wearing masks. “Once again, this policy is not being enforced. We in fact fear that a good number of the instigators of the demonstrations on campus are not even Concordia students….To date, the administration has not launched proceedings against the instigators of recent demonstrations. We have for example indicated that Bara Iyad Abuhamed, a part-time student at Concordia since 2016, has broken our conduct code and is on campus in order to agitate. Mr. Abuhamed has been caught on film threatening and indeed attacking students and staff on campus. His posts on social media also call for violence against Jews. Yet the administration is turning a blind eye to his activities, and he has not been disciplined.”

StartUp Nation also argues that Concordia has not disciplined the Concordia Student Union and Solidarity for Palestinian Human Rights in terms of a hostile environment on campus.

“They refer to Israel as an apartheid state, and together they have led anti-Israel activities, including a walk-out on campus. Leaders of the CSU are members of the SPHR and have been videotaped shunting at pro-Palestinian demonstrations. Contrary to its policies, the CSU has never consulted with Jewish and Israeli students and student groups like ours on the statements it has issued on the war in recent months and their impact on our community. The CSU has set a narrative on campus which makes Jewish and Israeli students unsafe, and the administration has not intervened.”

Asked for a response, Vannina Maestracci of Concordia’s media office referred us to the university’s response to the MPs and its Jan. 22 response to The Suburban, that “the university has taken several measures on campus to ensure our community’s safety, including increased monitoring of events and demonstrations as well as adding supplemental personnel when appropriate; meetings with student groups; the creation of a committee with expertise in mediation and conflict resolution; increased workshops on anti-discrimination for our community; launch of an active listening initiative to help community members address distressing events.

“I also want to reiterate that complaints and processes under the Code of Rights are confidential and, contrary to what is stated in the letter you refer to, we can confirm that the university is acting on complaints made following recent events. Also, regarding student associations, they are funded by student fee levies and are independent of Concordia University. In Quebec, the independence of student associations is enshrined in the Act respecting the accreditation and financing of students’ associations. However, Concordia University students and members are subject to the provisions of the Code of Rights and Responsibilities. Since Oct. 7, the university administration has held several meetings with members of student groups to ensure that any activities and demonstrations take place with respect for all members of the community and in contexts that are safe for all.” n