York University in Toronto announced on June 2 that the university is going to be undertaking a series of measures to address anti-Semitism on campus.
University President and Vice Chancellor Rhonda Lenton said that the university would be following recommendations from former Canadian Supreme Court Justice Thomas Cromwell’s independent investigation into the events that occurred on Nov. 20. That evening, protests against the pro-Israel group Herut Canada’s speaking event turned violent. Cromwell found that members of Students Against Israeli Apartheid (SAIA) attempted to prevent people from attending the event, as well as members of the Jewish Defense League (JDL) pushing and shoving protesters. Herut Canada and SAIA temporarily were suspended from campus.
“The footage shows protestors banging on the walls of the lecture hall and other protesters outside the lecture hall but inside the building using sound amplification equipment,” Cromwell’s report stated, adding that one member of SAIA was punched and another person “was knocked unconscious.”
Cromwell suggested that the university clarify its role in promoting free speech on campus, noting that the university should clearly state that protests stop being peaceful when violence occurs or when protesters start blocking access to an event. The former justice also recommended the university to “reinvigorate the University’s policies and procedures on racism, discrimination and harassment, particularly in relation to conduct by student groups,” urging the university to consider the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of anti-Semitism.
“The University accepts all of the recommendations put forward, and will immediately begin implementing them,” Lenton said. “We remain committed to our principles of protecting the safety of our community while respecting the free exchange of ideas.”
She proceeded to acknowledge that anti-Semitism is a global problem.
“York is not immune from anti-Semitism, nor are we unique in grappling with its manifestations within our community,” Lenton said. “The University has been clear: we condemn anti-Semitism in all its forms, just as we condemn Islamophobia, anti-Black racism, anti-Asian racism, anti-Indigenous racism, and any discrimination and hate based on national origin, race, religion, creed, ability, gender, or sexual orientation.”
The university president added: “We cannot police the beliefs of our community members, but we can strengthen our policies and procedures to protect our community from abhorrent views and actions. We also have an important role to play in addressing discrimination through research and education.”
Jewish groups praised Lenton’s announcement.
“We applaud York for taking on such a serious and probative investigation into the violent clash of November 20 and for its willingness to make changes to its policies and procedures to ensure nothing of the sort ever happens again,” Friends of the Simon Wiesenthal Center Chairman Fred Waks said in a statement. “We see these commitments as important and necessary first steps in addressing anti-Semitism on York’s campus and we look forward to dialoguing with the University administration as the recommendations are implemented and further changes are made to safeguard the security and rights of Jewish students. It is of fundamental importance that all students at York feel safe and secure.”
The Toronto-based Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) similarly said in a statement, “We will be working with York University alongside our campus partner, Hillel Ontario, to support the implementation of these recommendations. We thank President Rhonda Lenton for recognizing that York University is not immune from anti-Semitism, and her commitment to strengthen university policies and procedures to protect the campus community from abhorrent views and actions.”
