February 1st, 2024

We, the undersigned, are alumni and parents of Queen's University students. We are writing to voice our concern over ongoing acts of antisemitism at your institution and ask for a constructive, immediate, and sustainable solution. 

Since October, Queen’s has been littered with antisemitic propaganda printed and posted across and around its campus. Repeatedly, students have been holding signs on campus, calling for action against the State of Israel and against individuals who identify with the Jewish faith. On January 31st, parents received texts and calls from their sons and daughters who were concerned over the large pro-Palestinian protest. Their fellow students disrupted classes, entered the library, and walked across campus with extremist chants, causing anxiety among their children. As parents and alumni, we cannot have this go on any further.  

For the past four months, believing that the tensions at Queen’s University would subside, we remained quiet. This most recent protest, however, served as a reminder that tensions at your institution are escalating and need to stop. The fact that Queen’s administration appears complacent with ongoing genocidal calls tells us that there is no genuine concern for the mental health and wellbeing of all students. It has become evident that fostering an environment based on “collegiality, civility, generosity, trust, equity, inclusion, and respect for all” is no longer a priority for the university.

While we understand that freedom of opinion and peaceful assembly are rights in Canada, what is transpiring at Queen’s University is different. There is nothing peaceful in the violence rooted in students’ chants or in the repeated images calling for action. It is concerning to see how the cumulative effect of this ongoing problem is making Jewish students feel unsafe and unwelcomed in their own school. 

We are aware that Queen’s University has responded to the December 2023 letter sent by Ottawa’s Members of Parliament, acknowledging that “a call for genocide against Jews violates the institution’s code of conduct, irrespective of context.” Yet, we do not understand why the administration has not taken a firm position by conveying this message to all members of its community. 

In light of this, we urge Queen’s University to promptly issue a letter to the community denouncing calls of genocide against the Jewish people. We need the university to make clear that the disruption of places of learning is not acceptable. Equally important, we ask Queen's to account for students' wellbeing, de-escalate tension, increase security, and engage in conscientious conversations with students on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

We need to know which concrete measures Queen’s administration will take to address existing challenges and ameliorate students' university experience. We hope to see the university return to what it used to be prior to October 7th: A positive environment of learning, personal and academic growth, excellence, respect, trust, and safety.   

Respectfully,