University of Ottawa & Carleton University sponsor Israeli apartheid & Zionism 

We have become aware that together, Carleton University, University of Ottawa, Academic Engagement Network, and the Azrieli Foundation, will be hosting a panel titled “Confronting Antisemitism in Canada: Relevant Jurisprudence and Best Practices for Our Campuses and Our Communities” on Sunday November 20th, at the University of Ottawa . The event description highlights the weaponization of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism against members of our universities and communities with pro-Palestinian views. The IHRA definition of antisemitism has come under vigorous attack by defenders of academic freedom and Palestinian human rights over the last year. 

We, the undersigned students, activists, academics, and community members have been and continue to be deeply concerned by the ongoing and growing systemic repression in Canadian university campuses, including harassment, intimidation and reprisals for our critical views of Israeli policies towards Palestinians, as shown in the first detailed examination of experiences of university members in the latest report by Independent Jewish Voices (IJV). 

The purpose of the Academic Engagement Network is to counter efforts made by faculty and students to hold Israeli apartheid accountable on their campuses. Its purpose is to advocate on behalf of Israeli apartheid, and it is inappropriate and disturbing for university officials to conflate antisemitism with opposition to the Israeli state through their platform. Further, the Azrieli Foundation is dedicated to linking Canada and Israel and promoting Zionist ideology as well as responsible for funding fascist organizations despite claiming not to hold a political agenda. These organizations have a specific interest in promoting the objectives of the Israeli apartheid regime on our campus – and, to that end, seeking to silence Palestinian voices.

Our universities should foster critical engagement, not repress it. We strongly condemn and reject the organising of events on our campuses for the very suspect needs of the Israel lobby. Your duty should be to student safety, engagement, and learning.

This event reflects troubling anti-Palestinian, racist attitudes sponsored by Israeli lobby organizations and facilitated by university administrations on our campuses. Palestinian students have a right to be heard. Telling Palestinian stories is not antisemitic nor is being critical of the government of Israel. 

We are appalled by the role you are playing in suppressing our voices, and violating the freedom of speech of Palestinian students and groups on our campuses, and in depicting our struggle for Palestinian liberation as antisemitic. By silencing us, you are setting a dangerous precedent and we are worried for the safety and freedom of the future of our students in both universities.

We hereby demand of the Carleton and UOttawa administrations the following: 

(1) Immediate cancelation of the event;

(2) an immediate cessation to all cooperation with organizations that actively lobby on behalf of the government of Israel, a government that has faced consistent and credible reports that it commits the crime of apartheid against Palestinians in lands under its control; 

(3) a comprehensive curriculum review of EDI programs to ensure that Palestinian perspectives have not been discriminatorily excluded;

(4) a requirement that all EDI staff at Carleton University and University of Ottawa undergo training on anti-Palestinian racism. 

Endorsements (Organisations)

Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network 
Students Against Israeli Apartheid (SAIA)
Students for Justice in Palestine
Integrity Not Spite Against Falastin (INSAF) 
Palestinian Youth Movement
Canadian BDS Coalition
Palestinian and Jewish Unity (PAJU)
Independent Jewish Voices Ottawa 
OPIRG-Carleton 
Anti-Imperialist Alliance (AIA) 
ILPS Canada 
Socialist Action / Ligue pour l’Action Socialiste
Disability Justice Network of Ontario 
Asilu Collective
Hit The Streets
Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East - Saskatoon
Criminalization and Punishment Education Project (CPEP)
Anakbayan Ottawa
Migrante Ottawa 
Canada Palestine Association
Just Peace Advocates/Mouvement Pour Une Paix Juste 
The Niagara Movement for Justice in Palestine-Israel (NMJPI)
Oakville Palestinian Rights Association (OPRA)
Justice for Palestinians - Calgary
Palestine Solidarity, St. John's
Association of Palestinian Arab Canadians (APAC)
Ontario Public Interest Research Group Ottawa
Canadian Coalition of Palestinian Organizations (CCPO)
Ontario Public Interest Research Group Ottawa
Canadian Arab Forum of BC
Greater Toronto for BDS

Carleton Food Collective