June 3, 2024
TORONTO – A judge of the Ontario Superior Court has granted B’nai Brith Canada’s application to intervene in the University of Toronto’s legal efforts to disband an anti-Israel encampment at the campus’ King’s College Circle.
B’nai Brith Canada has been deeply disturbed by the escalating tensions and harassment of Jewish students and faculty at U of T since the encampment began May 2. For example, a man was recently recorded shouting, “Heil Hitler… I wish he murdered all you guys,” while directing a Nazi salute at Jewish students. In addition, protesters have chanted violent slogans such as “there is only one solution: intifada revolution!” Similar messages have been found scrawled around campus.
The University of Toronto highlighted several of these incidents in its legal filings, among other examples of threatening speech, physical assaults, and vandalism. As an intervenor in the case, B’nai Brith Canada will aid the Court by submitting an analysis of recent judicial, legislative, and scholarly developments, and their bearing on the balance of human rights and freedoms.
“The climate for Jewish students at U of T has become intolerable,” said Richard Robertson, B’nai Brith Canada’s Director of Research and Advocacy. “We are pleased that the Court is giving our organization this opportunity to intervene in the proceedings. We look forward to assisting the Court to ensure that the matter is properly decided.”
