At least one person was injured as attempts by an anti-Israel group to shut down an event at York University turned violent Wednesday night.
Members of York’s Students Against Israeli Apartheid (SAIA) arrived at the university to disrupt a school-sanctioned panel discussion with Reservists on Duty, an organization of former members of the Israeli Defence Force (IDF.)
Calls to protest the arrival of the IDF members came from across the Internet, including the federal NDP candidate for York Simcoe, Jess McLean, who on Twitter denounced York for hosting the event and urged her followers to attend Wednesday’s SAIA counter-protest.
ALL OUT against IDF on York University Campus TONIGHT 6pm.
An institution that claims to stand for social justice is no place to host those tasked w/upholding an illegal occupation, enforcing apartheid and murdering protestors.
I will stand with you @SaiaYork #FreePalestine
— Jessa McLean (@JessaMcLeanNDP) November 20, 2019
Videos posted online show SAIA protesters — some concealing their faces with keffiyeh scarves — inside York’s Vari Hall loudly protesting the discussion, shouting pro-Palestine slogans and waving Palestine flags.
Another video features participants shouting “viva, viva Intifada.”
Another video shows the two groups throwing punches and grappling in a stairwell until broken up by police.
The violence has sparked condemnation online, with B’nai Brith Canada CEO Michael Mostyn calling for York University to take action.
“Further investigation is required into how a registered student group was permitted to glorify terrorism and attempt to intimidate those peacefully assembling on campus,” he wrote on Twitter.
“There must be consequences for violent behaviour.”
Enraged mobs cannot be allowed to prevent lawful and peaceful gatherings from taking place on campus. https://t.co/nq1FGskzBP
— Michael Mostyn (@MichaelMostyn) November 21, 2019
York Centre MPP and university alum Roman Baber likewise wants an investigation into what led to the violence.
“Make no mistake — this was not peaceful protest,” he said in a statement. “This was an attempt to shut down a university-sanctioned event, using violence and intimidation.”
He said he’s been in contact with both university administration and Toronto Police for an explanation, and is calling for the creation of a ‘concrete plan’ of ensuring the safety of the school’s Jewish students.
On Twitter, Premier Doug Ford expressed his disappointment with York University for allowing the ‘hate-filled protest,’ expressing his support both for Jewish students and the community.
“There is no place in Ontario for racism and hatred,” he tweeted.
I am disappointed that York University allowed for a hate-filled protest to take place last night at Vari Hall. I stand with the Jewish students and the Jewish community. There is no place in Ontario for racism and hatred. #onpoli
— Doug Ford (@fordnation) November 21, 2019
A Toronto Police spokesman said that while officers ejected a number of the combatants from the property, and at least one of the injured persons filed a police report, no charges were laid.
https://torontosun.com/news/local-news/anti-israel-protest-at-york-university-turns-violent
Let’s hope it spreads all over North America, Central America, South America, EU and well, the world! Viva Jessa!!! FREE PALESTINE from the RIVER TO THE SEA!!!
“Calls to protest the arrival of the IDF members came from across the Internet,…”
Entirely understandable.
Those f$&kers are murderers.
“… shouting pro-Palestine slogans and waving Palestine flags.
OUTSTANDING!!!
“The violence has sparked condemnation online, with B’nai Brith Canada CEO Michael Mostyn calling for York University to take action.”
F$&K B’nai Brith… Canada or anywhere else..
“There is no place in Ontario for racism and hatred,” he tweeted.”
jews excepted.
Hope one of these comes to San Diego!
.