Carleton University’s decision to reappoint Dr. Hassan Diab—a man sentenced to life imprisonment by a French court for his role in the 1980 bombing outside a Paris synagogue—reflects a profound moral failure and a worrying tolerance for radical ideologies in Canadian academia. The appointment of Diab, who was found guilty of participating in an attack that killed four people and injured dozens, is more than just a misjudgment; it is a signal that anti-Jewish sentiments may have taken root in ways that we cannot ignore.
Dr. Diab, a Lebanese-born Canadian citizen, was first arrested in Canada in 2008 after French authorities issued a warrant, accusing him of involvement in a bombing outside a synagogue on Rue Copernic, Paris. The attack, executed on October 3, 1980, by placing a bomb on a motorcycle outside the synagogue’s entrance, resulted in the tragic deaths of three bystanders and an Israeli citizen, Aliza Shgrir. It also left over 40 injured in an area crowded with people observing the Jewish Sabbath.
After a lengthy legal battle, Canada extradited Diab to France in 2014. Though Diab consistently denied involvement, French authorities cited strong evidence, including passport and fingerprint records, linking him to the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), a known terrorist organization. In 2023, following his retrial in absentia, a French court found him guilty of murder and terrorism charges, sentencing him to life in prison. The French judicial panel, composed of six judges with expertise in terrorism cases, reached a unanimous verdict. A French warrant remains active, as authorities call for his extradition to serve his sentence.
The family of Aliza Shgrir expressed their outrage, stating, “It is outrageous that an academic institution, expected to uphold values of equality and justice, would hire a convicted murderer who has blood on his hands and was unanimously convicted by a French court.” Their message highlights the distress of those directly affected by the attack, and it underscores the betrayal felt by communities worldwide who expect academia to be a realm of ethical leadership, not one of amnesty for those associated with violence and extremism.
Furthermore, Diab’s appointment as an instructor on “social justice in action” is both ironic and deeply troubling. B’nai Brith Canada’s response captures the gravity of this decision: “Canada is on a very dangerous path… Universities must not allow convicted terrorists associated with recognized terror groups to teach on our campuses.” The decision by Carleton sends a message that such violent actions are forgivable—or even acceptable—within an academic setting.
The fact that an international arrest warrant is still active makes Carleton University’s decision particularly disturbing. Canadian officials, university leaders, and governmental bodies must take immediate action to reconsider this appointment. Those responsible for this hiring decision must be held accountable, and relevant authorities should ensure that this grave error is corrected.
This cannot stand as a precedent. Carleton’s choice not only undermines justice but also sends a dangerous message to victims and survivors worldwide.
Dotan Rousso was born and raised in Israel. He holds a Ph.D. in Law and is a former criminal prosecutor in Israel. He lives in Alberta and teaches Philosophy at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT).
