Anti-Semitism on Campus

I am disgusted by this rise ok Jew hatred on college campuses,also the silence of the college administrators. These muslim groups are cells working for hamas and other hate groups. This must stop. Remember . NEVER AGAIN

Perhaps an article could be written about the most Jewish-friendly places for Jewish students to attend college. I don't want to spend up to $50K for my son/daughter to deal with this abuse.

Mamdouh Shoukri. Obviously York U. should replace this person.

Why in heaven's name would Jews want to remain on a campus or in a country where they are not only not welcome, but are hated? Won't we ever learn? Students at York - and everywhere else - come home to your own country and home. The neighbors surrounding us aren't great, but here we are home.

I don't imagine many Muslims sit back for a moment and wonder how a tiny band of warlords with Muhammad as their general got to spread their 'religion' over 28 countries. Do they imagine it was done by peaceful negotiation? Israel has only ever wanted ISRAEL. But to hypocrites it's too much to ask, to claim back a small piece of land that G-d (and the Balfour declaration) gave us, and just be left in peace to live our lives.

If you have ever seen one of these rallies, or watched them on youtube, they are filled with jew hatred. challenging a government is fine, and no one does it more than the israeli press, but there is a fine line between endless condemnation of Israel, while other countries around the world are unmentioned. Many people state that Israel should not exist, especially as a Jewish state. Should Iran therefore not exist as an Islamic republic?? If they differ, it is racism.

I think we would do well to consider that anti-Zionist is not the same thing as anti-Semitic. Just because a student (or student group) protests Zionism does not at all indicate he or she is anti-Semitic. And while anti-semitism is clearly a hate crime, anti-Zionist protests are well-within a student's right to free speech.

So is barricading Jewish students in the Hillel offices and shouting "Die Jew" as the article stated, just legitimate anti-Israel critique? Please enlighten us

I just wanted to say that I read a personal account from Brandon Crandall one of the Hasbara Founders and writer of the article and this story is true.

York University is a prime example of the flaws of Free Speech. If you are not a liberal, you are not welcome on campus. I remember getting looks for wearing my kippa on campus. I remember exams being disturbed for protests. I remember Campus Staff and University Politicians doing nothing about it. I left York - 8 years ago. Nothing has changed. I highly suggest the Jews on campus at YU - it's hard - but ignore them. The more you argue back the more voice you give them.

One of the scariest thing about this incident was the police "response." They took an hour to respond, and when they arrived they refused to disperse the protesters, despite their vile verbal threats of wanting to kill Jews and their pounding on the barricaded glass doors at the Hillel office. The police's official position is that they wanted to remain "neutral." !!!! This is an almost identical response to Europe in the 30's, as police would "respond" by arriving at the scene of attacks against Jews and then watch with their hands folded behind their backs. Very, very scary indeed.

I have been watching this story for a couple of weeks and the tale just keeps getting wilder. I suggest if you want to try find out what really happened, do some research. You could start with York's student newspaper, The Excalibur. You may also want to look up "Dawg's Blog" and read the February 2009 article called "Rashomon at York."

One of the issues of all of this is Jewish rendency to say "we will take the high ground" and assume that people will respond thoughtfully to thoughtful discussions. This is why we loose the propaganda war. We are too snooty. The way to win is to make a poster with a photo of an honor killed Muslim woman. Let that speak for itself. Make a poster of Muslims doing their ting in Darfur. Let that speak for itself. We need to wake up and cut the crap. We need to not be so meek and stuck up. People do not care to think. The are influenced by their guts. We need to fight to win and our side needs to understand what it takes to win.

It's not a Jewish-Muslim or Jewish-Gentile divide. Unfortunately, many of the most vocal critics of Israel, Jews and Judaism are Jewish themselves.

halafarah2@hotmail.com He is the head of the anti-israel group

Your life is infinitely more important than proving a point. You are in a dangerously hostile environment. It will only get worse. Leave now and find a place where you can learn in peace. It's really not worth it.

Why doesn't the Jewish Community at large stage a mass demonstration at York University. It should be well publicized and is sure to get the media's attention We have to fight back NOW!

I just called the Office of the President. The whole call took two minutes. If everyone who reads this article could take a minute and make the call, it could have a powerful affect.

It is exremely unfortunate how there is so much hatred towards the Jews. I am originally from a very small town in Ukraine and I could defenitely relate to these students mentioned in the story. I went to a Russian school and there were only two Jewish students in the schools. All I can say is that I was discriminated against physically and emotionally. It is sad how mean and violent people can get. I don't know if I will ever forgive or forget those people that hurt me, because even until this day I am still affected by their actions and comments. We as Jews should unite and fight against descrimination and anitisemitism being projected towards us.

If you look up the dictionary definition of "apartheid", you will see that it refers to laws within a country discriminating against one or more sections of its total civilian population. Thus, it cannot involve a border dispute. Saying that Israel practices Apartheid is thus equivalent to saying that all the land granted to the Palestinians is in fact the legitamite and legal property of Israel. If that is so, she cannot be practicing "occupation"! If the loudmouths realized how much they contradict themselves with each new accusation, they might shut up. (In fact, Israel does NOT practice either apartheid nor occupation, as any visitor to the region will see.)

York University officials should read THE UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS and understand that they are in violation of Basic Human Rights.

If hate speech fits in the same category as free speech, it is certainly not FAIR speech to us as Jews. Such demonstrations on college campuses is not uncommon at all. Therefore, there must be more solidarity for Israel and spreading the truth about it faster than the lies currently spread. It's sad that every generation they rise up against us, which doesn't even begin or finish with the Holocaust and the propaganda thereof.

Many thanks to the courageous Jewish students at York University and to those on other campuses throughout the world. Little did they know that they would find themselves on the front line in the fight against anti-Semitism when they received their college acceptance letters. Like Israeli soldiers they willingly entered the worldwide fight against Judaism, Zionism and Israel. They have risked their safety, their education and their lives to fight on the side of Am Yisroel. None of us ever knows when we will be called to defend Israel and Judaism. I pray that we all react with the courage of the Jewish students at York University and in other situations throughout the world.

If for ANY reason a person is held against their will, a lawyer should be engaged to press charges. Canada's laws MUST be upheld unless we want to capitulate to criminals!

Dr Mamdouh Shoukri, President & Vice Chancellor York University. Dear Dr Shoukri, I learned with outrage the recent incident and hate fest at your Institution. It reminded me the very, similar one in Berlin in the early 30s. I am sure that you either experienced or learned history and as a president, the chief CEO of this governments higher learning institution, you are at least as outraged than myself. I, as an 85 year old citizen of our beloved country am accepting any other fellow Canadian as my brother citizens no matter where they came from or which way they serve GOD. You Sir, who represent the Canadian government at your institution the York University, I am absolutely certain that you feel the same way. Therefore I expect from you and the whole board of York University, that this action committed will be very seriously condemned - not just in word announcements and all media, by you and all the leaders of this Institution, also in actions. Hate has no place in the "temple" of our society of higher learning, no matter against what segment of our people it is directed. Students or teachers or any leaders of groups, have no place in this or any other Universities. If the perpetrators are fellow citizens they should have learned this before they have been admitted to York. If they are guest of this country, they have no place amongst us. This rule should apply to any guest of Canada who are displaying HATE towards any segment of our society and should be expelled from our country. I am sure that you are aware of this rule and will act with full force now and ever when hate will surface in this beautiful and very worthy institution. Thank you for your attention and remain, Respectfully yours, Alfred Dukes cc.: The Right Honorable Prime Minister Stephen Harper The Honourable Katheleen Wynne, Minister of Education

It's good because it helps to prevent assimilation & mixed marriages. Jews should go where they are needed & wanted.

Wake up. In the last four jobs I have suffered distinct anti-semitism. I am trying to get EDD, EEOC and a lawyer to help me and they are blatantly acting like the things done to me are absolutely reasonable. Arnold Schwarzenegger and others are trying to repeat Hitler's method of turning the country into a military dictatorship by making it "too expensive to have enough government employees" including police. When chaos gets too high, break out the military, round up the jews and start a bonfire with the wickerman.(and us inside) Snap out of your complacency and let's stop this now before we can't! NEVER AGAIN! REMEMBER?!

This is simple. If the 10% of the Jewish student body chooses to no longer attend the offensive university, the administration will change its view. The board and director and dean who run the school are evaluated on their ability to bring in a revenue. No official can survive a 10% reduction in the bottom line. Also, find out about the donors to the university and notify them of the issue. When they choose to withdraw funding it will further drive home the point. Lastly if you will go out to deliver any ass-whooping' it should be directed at the Jews crossing the party lines and slamming their fellow Jews right to worship and support their spiritual home. First and foremost lets keep our house clean. Good luck and G-d be with you! Roman

as well as the alternate spelling "Shukri" and see what affiliations turn up. The problem at York University may start at the top.

We need to remember that many people are caught up with media hype, not having accurate details on World History, especially the history of the Eastern world. We need to be strong and educate people in a genuine way...more for those students locked in a room by protesters, charges of confinement could take place. The student administratiive bodies may not be able to settle people down, moreover, the administrative bodies don't want to take sides, even though it directly involves them. More, the slander and comments I heard about is absolutly unacceptable! It is also against the law. Please let me know if you agree with my statement.

This situation reminds me of Jews com- plaining how the world disregards acts of hatred and violence against Jews and pleading for int'l help - get Real! The solution lies only with us! Why should we expect others to help when so many of our own people focuse solely on material gains: getting that BMW or the next house in the country, or the big vacation in barbados.We need to confront the enemy and disrupt their activities. We need to stop being nice and adopt an in your face attitude. The re-establish- ment of Israel did not happen because we were nice.

What outside readers may not know is that York has a large Jewish Studies department, kosher food on campus and closes on the High Holidays. We live in Toronto, actually fairly close to York U. When it came time to for our daughter to apply to university 3 years ago, we took a campus tour and didn't like the atmosphere. In the past few years some self-hating Jews have led protests that the University should open on Rosh Hashanah/Yom Kippur. This has opened the floodgates making it acceptable to voice anti-Israel and anti-Jewish feelings. York has seen it's reputation go downhill in recent years. It was built in the 1960's and was practically known as a "Jewish University" for many years. York uses a disproportionate number of part-time lecturers which was the main reason for the recent strike, the second in the last 8 years. Most of those strikers belong to CUPE (Canadian Union of Public Employees) which is headed by Sid Ryan. I quote from the National Post Jan 6th 2009. "This past weekend CUPE voted to prevent Israeli academics, the winners of more Nobel prizes per capita than any other country in the world, from teaching in Ontario’s universities. The ostensible reason? Israel’s December 29 bombing that damaged the Islamic University in Gaza, a hotbed of Islamic extremism and most likely one of the places where the terrorist organization Hamas stored rockets and missiles used to bomb innocent civilians in Israeli border towns over the past several years. That doesn’t matter to CUPE, which has somehow decided that no matter what happens in the Middle East, Israel is always in the wrong. That’s one reason why the union helps fund Israel Apartheid Week at the University of Toronto, and why it helps fund glossy anti-Israel brochures and pamphlets that are given wide distribution." I'm sure that York University groups also receive CUPE funding. According to the B'Nai Brith Jewish Tribune, they are now spreading their hatred into the public high school system. High Schools Against Israeli Apartheid (HAIA), was launched just over a year ago as a sub-group of Coalition Against Israeli Apartheid (CAIA). When I was at a Canadian university during the Yom Kippur War (1973) we held information sessions and sure shouting took place. Yes we got the phone calls in the middle of the night and yes Jewish Professors got death threats, however the anti-Israel groups were not as sophisticated as they are now. Today Jewish kids on campus and their parents may or may not realize that these groups are well-funded and well-organized. Already enrolment applications are down 15-20% at York because of the labour unrest. I call upon Jewish groups to publicize what goes on at York. Jewish Organizations must either be prepared to take a stand and encourage people to vote with their wallets. No more donations, no more naming of buildings for Jewish philanthropists and no more attending a school that cannot guarantee personal safety under the Candian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

For those that choose not to remember, history does repeat itself.I Pray that this time we will show the world that we are not willing partners of our own extermination and what we write and say are not just words, but words that are put into action.

Aloha, It's ok if people don't like a race of people, but to have riots or violence is not accepted in this day and age. Here in Hawaii we have people from every nation living here, going to schools here, and no problems. why does your school allow this type of behavior, if your smart you would make it so those that post the signs or cause these problems are no longer allowed to go to your school. Otherwise your as guilty as those that put up the Nazi posters and this also shows you have no control over your school. If you can't control the school then you need to find a new line of work. 'What's happening there at your school is going nation wide, what kind of press do you want? Bruce Reichenbach

This violent hatred against Jewish students in York University, Toronto Canada, is outrageous and should not go unnoticed and without a vigorous response. York U administrators must be put on notice that hatred against Jews will NOT be tolerated, and that they will face negative consequences for their acitons. I agree with the suggestion of Ms. Judy Shuckett to protest to Mr. John Milloy, the Ontario Minister for Colleges and Universities at jmilloy.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org. I think all Jews should send a protest to Mr. Milloy, not only Canadian Jews.

Sue them for MAJOR damages. It's also time to find out who the Alumni are, and contact them, and BOYCOTT any and ALL Alumni businesses, along with York University's ties to any business in the area. SUE THEM HARD.

The Canadian Govn't should close down youku., as an example to the nation that anti-semitism will not be tolerated. Never again!

Just remember the words, "NEVER AGAIN" and follow through!

How do you like to file a comlain to Mahmous Shukri which in my opinion is THE SUPPORTER TO THIS ACT. I am disturbed and ask all to speak to the presindent of the college to fire this individual for being irresposible to such acts.

It's one thing for there to be protests against policies within Israel by students on campus, but it's another thing to target students who are Jewish and to taunt them with hate slogans and to act in vicious ways that echo what they are vociferously condemning in others. There is freedom of speech on campus but there is also a need to respect the civil liberties of all groups. It sounds wrong to me, that an administration would remain silent over such harrassment. And silence is also often understood as tacit agreement with the angry and hateful slogans being promulgated. So yes, there is a deep problem at York University, given what is written in this article. The world will not move forward unless we all recognize each other and that throwing stones is not the answer and never was. When those who throw stones condemn others they feel are throwing stones, well, it's a no win situation and everyone gets terribly hurt.

The primary problem with this situation At York U. and many others is the inherent moral, ethical and civilized attainment of the Jewish people throughout history despite so many adversities to overcome. Their opponents in this case, and so many others, are born and bred in quasi- civilized milieus that are barely out of stone age attainment in matters of civilisation and human progress. It is truly unfortunate that these stone chuckers have been allowed to run amok at a Canadian university with no consequences for their inane behaviour. I do believe that the main problem stems from York's "lofty lefty" reputation in the rest of the country. I would never have considered allowing my children to attend this "school" when going to higher education and they had totally agreed long before this nasty situation arose. This is a very embarassing moment for me as a Canadian and should be for all.

Inter alia, reprint articles about how the islamoscum are bombing Christian churches, oppressing Christian minorities (e.g. the Copts in Egypt), murdering Christian clerics, blowing up the Buddist statues, raping and murdering in Darfur. Post them where the "useful idiots" can see them. It may do some good. Check into Dhimmi Watch and Jihad watch.

There is no doubt that Muslim students are doing their best to attack Israel and especially the Jews. But they do nothing more than what Muhammad, the so-called "prophet", required from them. And considering the embarrassing level of their IQ, they are not doing that bad. The real culprits that will soon be eliminated from the Canadian public arena are the Leftists, ex Communists, Socialists and what have you, left hanging for lack of a maneuvering mass after the implosion of Soviet Russia and Mao's China. In desperation, the Commies stumbled on the ignorant Muslim masses - an ideal replacement for the old proletariat. Since extremists were always rabid anti-Semites, a new "Axis of Envy" was formed without much difficulty. And some of York U. students were easily co-opted, since they are prone to believe the BS these envious cohorts are trying to promote. Comparing Muslim states with Israel is, well, unfair. In all their history, Muslims (and Leftists, too) have done nothing that deserves any recognition except killing - at retail and wholesale level. The "religion of peace" proved to be a "religion of pieces" considering what is left of those human beings targeted by Islamists. As far as the future is concerned, it looks like Muslims will continue doing nothing for as long as they exist. Therefore lots of patience is required from Christians, Hindus, Buddhists and, yes, Jews when dealing with Islamists and what is left of the Left that still stands.

MR SHOUKRI SHOULD BE FIRED. BY THE WAY, WHAT IS HIS BACKGROUND..?

If there is silence from the administration there is deep danger lurking for Jews.Confront the president and copy-cat what has been done to defame belittle and violate the standing of Israel and a Jew to those who have displayed these rascist and fascist acts..turn the tide and then you will have sight of the enemy ..do not remain silent..and never be misled in thinking that those who practice a faith completely opposite to Judaism and who reside in the North Americas are anything but the most dangerous enemy to Jews and the Western world.........!!!!!!

at first I thought this was about York in UK, which has a history of antisemitism. It must be the name, and it is happenoing all over again in York Canada. I agree with the commentator that we have to fight. where to begin though?! and education must begin within our own community, so many younger post WW2 Jews are ignorant of history and collude with the enemy in their misguided attitudes. Annie Lass

I graduated Bryn Mawr in May of 2008. That year, a group of "Students for Justice in Palestine" did the same thing with the "wall" exposing "terrorism" and all of that. Thankfully, a group of Jewish students were able to protest this by handing out pamphlets explaining the truth. The unfortunate reality is that colleges and universities are able to get away with anti-semitism because the Jewish students and parents are for the most part too complacent about it. What would really need to happen is for the Jewish parents to refuse giving donations to the schools for them to change their anti-semitic behaviors.

Regan Mason, Bravo!! You know what's happening! As for Israel, whom I didn't understand until recently, well, the poet and author George Stein cleared it up for me in one gentle, simple sentence. He said, "The message of Israel to all Jews is 'If your children need to run, we will take them.' " In that one moment I was humbled from my preconceived opinions. I thought of all the little Jewish babies and children, and the adults, who have had to pick up and run for their lives throughout the ages, and how there is now an unconditional haven for them. Just imagine if any ONE of the 28 vast Muslim countries extended that same statement of unconditional sanctuary to their "brethren" in Gaza and West Bank. But with all their HUGE tracts of land, and trillions of oil $$$$s, they don't create a haven like Israel has. No, instead, they want to fight endlessly over land that is 40 km wide and 100 km long! And which was mostly dry old desert until the Israelis washed it metre by metre. Baruch HaShem!!! Why should the Gazans have to pick up and run, you might ask? Well, I guess for the same reasons the Jews have had to in every age, but with far, far less places to go.

I read at yorku.ca that there are 50,000 students. This article states that ten percent of them are Jewish. That's five thousand, strong. Why not make it a point to visit the display together every day- weather permitting- and express your disgust. Laugh at the absurdities. Bullies don't last long when you stand up to them.

There are radical Muslims that are stirring things up. They and their parents were taught by Nazi's that escaped Germany after WW2. The links must be made and shown to the world that Hitler is still among us in spirit. And what an Evil spirit that is. Unless we all stand up, Jews, Christians, and others, we are doomed to repeat history again and again.

I am a proud Jew. Jews are not crybabies. Jews are no longer abused victims. Okay, these students must go out there, rip down all their pictures and reoplace them with photos of the abusers stamped with words like,"Devils" and "Scum" and "Death to Haters." There will be confrontations. Good! When the abused become fighters, the abusers become participants in a war with superiors. Then it's over. I do not cry over being hated. I fight back. We are Maccabees and always must be.We don't cry and complain. We fight.

To Jewish people who face unmerited anti-Semitism here are resources for you. www.collegezionist.org www.cufioncampus.org Google in JCRC to find chapters in your areas. The term "nazi" means national socialist. The ACLU defends CAIR (Council on American Islamic Relations). If you are a contributing member of the ACLU CANCEL YOUR MEMBERSHIP. I will not abandon the Jewish people who have literally blessed every nation on earth. People have been far too ignorant about Islam's true intent. Their ignorance will kill them. Even the Middle East knows Canada and America are still ignorant. It uses Political Correctness against us. God will defend Israel.

With dismay, it is my belief that these anti Israel, anti Jew will increase until Meshiach comes. I do pray for that day to come soon. Be prepared to face the fact that radicals of all types and from all segments of society will increase their agressive anti Jew, anti G-d efforts. This will increase so be ready.

these students were not alive when the unspeakable atrocities of the Holocaust were being ignored by the rest of the "civilized world." To them it seems like great fun to harass and intimidate a minority. I don't blame them for these despicable actions as much as I blame the York U. administration for keeping silent and doing nothing to educate these hoodlums about history. I can't help but think that the president of the university, with a name like Mamdouh Shoukri, is not doing anything to stop these disgusting activities, but is probably encouraging them. You may call me a bigot for feeling this way. I am old enough to have lived through the Holocaust. Most of my grandparents, aunts and uncles, and cousins, 32 human beings were murdered in the Ukraine by the Nazis. I was the first in my family to have been born in America. I was a soldier in WWII. I saw with my own eyes what the Nazis had done in Europe. Comparing Israel's defensive actions to Nazism is at the least uninformed, and at the worst malicious and cowardly.

I urge all Canadians reading this, and especially those from Ontario, to email this to their federal and provincial representatives as well as to John Milloy, the Ontario Minister for Colleges and Universities, and ask what is being done so that Jewish and pro-Israeli students are comfortable on campus. You can also put in a plug re stopping Israel Apartheid Week that is coming up. John Milloy's email is jmilloy.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org.

I agree wholeheartedly with the comments I read. However, you might want to refrain from using the word "anti-Semitism." The Arabs are Semites as well as the Jews. This is more accurately, anti-Jewish attitude and behavior. I agree that we should speak out against those who spread vicious lies and propaganda about Israel. I also agree with Kip that we should proclaim the truth at every opportunity. We especially need to broadcast to the "silent majority," who are often caught up in their own lives and do not research such matters for themselves, but rather take in whatever is presented to them. Right now there is much propaganda being presented in defense of Palestinians. We must be diligent in making sure that the "silent majority" has ample opportunity to hear the truth. I am appalled at the lack of response from York University administration. Have any of these incidents received media coverage?

everyone should contact York representatives to let them know that this is NOT OK!

It´s alarming that such things are now happening in North America, not just in Ukraine or Hungary! The best way to retalliate is to bring up displays of the truth, in exhibits or speeches, for example, Aish.com´s excellent online seminar on Antisemitism, "Why the Jews?" Can someone take that on the road? I know it´s hard to display anything or give a speech in an area where it would be boycotted, disrupted, or intimidated. Resorting to THEIR tactics of naming names and putting up Wanted posters will not help matters, but only show that we are not much better than they are. As long as we can still enjoy and exercise free speech, let´s make every effort to proclaim the truth. If "good" people remain silent, the bad guys always win. Don´t forget that if good Germans had raised their voices in the early thirties, Hitler wouldn´t have made it to power in 1933.

Great article! Finally somebody stand up and raise his voice. Continue raising awareness of what is going on and about the anti-Semite propaganda

It's find the use acronyms to indicate the rioters and the administration officials who are behind this outrage but how about naming the bigots who are back of these outrages? Who choose to remain silent? Is this the "silent majority" very much like the silence that was so defeaning pre and during World War II in Germany, France, Europe? Even here as well? I want to vomit but I won't. Instead I will speak out and believe in the reality that we must never put the big stick aside so long as so many hate us.