Politicians reacted on social media to an anti-Israel protest which took place at York University campus on Wednesday evening.
Anti-Israel protestors attempted to prevent people from entering the York University campus venue to hear a group of Israeli veterans give a presentation on anti-Semitism. Police had to intervene in order to prevent violence and further escalation.
Reservists on Duty is self-described as “a non-profit organization established in 2015 by IDF veterans who felt a duty to expose and counter the BDS [boycott divestment and sanctions] movement and new forms of anti-Semitism erupting on US college campuses.”
The BDS movement is an anti-Semitic effort which has been rejected by the House of Commons in 2016.
Both Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Conservative leader Andrew Scheer were among a number of politicians who spoke out against the anti-Semitic violence which plagued the debate.
“I’m appalled by the intimidating scenes that occurred last night at York University. I unequivocally condemn the acts of antisemitism faced by the members of the Jewish community at the event,” tweeted Andrew Scheer.
Trudeau also took the opportunity to address and denounce the attacks earlier today.
“On Wednesday night, violence & racist chants broke out against an event organized by the Jewish community at York University. What happened that night was shocking and absolutely unacceptable. Anti-Semitism has no place in Canada. We will always denounce it & all forms of hatred,” said Trudeau.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford also claimed he was “shocked by the vile hatred” which took place on the campus and said that racism and hatred have “no place in Ontario.”
Toronto mayor John Tory echoed Ford in his own comments by saying “Anti-Semitism and violence is totally unacceptable.” Similarly, Liberal MP for York Centre released a statement denouncing the attacks.
Conservative MP Michelle Rempel also called on York University to fix the problem of anti-Semitism on campus, claiming that during her time in office she has received more emails about anti-Semitism at York University than any other place in Canada.
The anti-Israel protestors chanted pro-Palestinian terror slogans, including praises of the “intifada” which was an uprising that led to the death of numerous Israeli citizens at the hands of Hamas and other terror groups.
Among those present was Nazih Khatatba, the editor of al-Meshwar newspaper, who has described Jewish suffering as “fairy tales” and has engaged in Holocaust denial.
In the past, Khatatba has also praised terrorists involved in a synagogue massacre in Jerusalem.
The Reservists on Duty event was organized by Herut Canada, a pro-Israel campus group. Leading up to the event taking place, posters were plastered around campus calling for “No Israeli soldiers on our campus!”
A video of the event shows a group of people struggling and a fight eventually breaking out among opposing sides.
