B'nai Brith demands Ontario probe into UWindsor deal that ended pro-Palestinian protest camp
Sid Shniad
B'nai Brith demands Ontario probe into UWindsor deal that ended pro-Palestinian protest camp
Trevor Wilhelm
Pro-Palestinian demonstrators are shown at the University of Windsor on May 27, 2024, in the “Liberation Zone" encampment, since dismantled after protesters reached an agreement with university administration. PHOTO BY DAN JANISSE /Windsor StarArticle content
One of Canada’s largest Jewish human rights organizations has launched a formal complaint against the University of Windsor and called on the province to investigate a “potentially discriminatory” deal the school struck with pro-Palestinian protesters.
B’nai Brith Canada said Thursday it has lodged an “official letter of complaint” alleging violations of Ontario’s Discriminatory Business Practice Act (DBPA) in a deal the university struck to end a two-month-old campus protest encampment.
The organization said it also “demanded” that Ontario Minister of Public and Business Service Delivery and Procurement Todd McCarthy appoint “unbiased investigators” to probe UWindsor’s action.
“B’nai Brith will take every step necessary to protect UWindsor’s Jewish community from further marginalization,” said Richard Robertson, director of Research and Advocacy for the Jewish advocacy organization.
“By acceding to the demands of radicals, the institution has not only embarrassed itself but has seemingly violated provincial legislation. We will continue to fight this problematic agreement.”
In a written statement to the Star, University of Windsor spokesperson Dylan Kristy said the university has not “received anything formally” but is aware of social media posts by B’nai Brith.
“We are aware that the language in recent agreements has hurt and angered many members of the Jewish community, and for that, we are truly sorry,” the university’s statement said.
“The university has much work to do in building trust and relationships with the Jewish community, and we are grateful for the advice and guidance of Jewish students, organizations, and the broader Jewish community as we advance our efforts.”
The province did not respond to a request for comment Thursday evening.
UWindsor signed an agreement July 10 to meet multiple demands from pro-Palestinian protesters and end the “Liberation Zone” encampment they set up on campus on May 9.
President Robert Gordon’s administration also struck a separate but similar agreement with the University of Windsor Students’ Alliance (UWSA), which was not involved in organizing the protest.
The encampment, among several to appear at university campuses across Canada, grew out of rising tensions as war between Israel and Hamas drags on.
Armed members of Hamas — a militant Palestinian political group governing the Gaza Strip which Canada considers a terrorist organization — launched an attack in Israel on Oct. 7. They killed 1,139 people and took 252 hostages.
Israel responded with a bombing campaign followed by a ground invasion. Gaza health authorities say more than 38,000 Palestinians, including many women and children, have since been killed.
The local deals sparked swift and angry backlash from Jewish and pro-Israel groups, including B’nai Brith Canada, the Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center, the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, Hillel Ontario, and the Windsor Jewish Federation.
In the midst of the backlash, UWindsor said Tuesday it will work on agreements with Jewish students and stakeholders, recruit a Jewish student support advisor, and mandate antisemitism training for members of senior administration and the board of governors
The initial agreement with protesters had a similar pledge to mandate anti-Palestinian racism training.
UWindsor also said Tuesday it supports the goal of a two-state solution to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
But pro-Jewish groups, including B’Nai Brith, remain unimpressed.
One aspect of the agreement that critics have seized on is the university’s promise not to pursue any academic agreements with Israeli universities “until the right of Palestinian self-determination has been realized,” unless supported by its senate.
The agreement with encampment protesters noted that the pledge does not prevent individual academics at the Windsor from collaborating with academics in Israel.
While it did not promise to financially divest from organizations profiting from Israeli military industries or occupation, the university also committed to more “responsible investing” and better screening of where investments are made.
The deal with encampment protesters states that for the purposes of its responsible investment policy, UWindsor recognizes that the United Nations “has found Israel, the occupying power, to be in serious violation of international law and human rights in the conduct of its occupation of Palestinian territory.”
The agreement states the university also recognizes that the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights “has established an active database of companies whom it has identified are engaged with the illegal Israeli settlement enterprise in the occupied Palestinian territory.”
B’nai Brith highlighted those commitments as part of the “problematic agreement.”
The advocacy group wrote in its letter to the province that parts of the university agreement “have been fabricated in a manner that unduly singles out people of Israeli descent and/or nationality, as well as Israeli based parties, and those who conduct business within Israel.”
“The agreement UWindsor signed onto contains provisions against doing business with Israeli institutions and companies that do business in Israel,” Robertson said Thursday. “If implemented, that condition would be discriminatory and contrary to the DBPA.”
In an email to the Star on Thursday evening, organizers of the pro-Palestinian Liberation Zone called the backlash “deeply troubling.” It noted the group’s agreement with the University of Windsor had garnered support from Independent Jewish Voices and Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East, among other organizations.
“We would like to affirm that the agreement puts in place mechanisms to protect and uphold the human rights of all racialized folk and BIPOC,” the statement said. BIPOC stands for Black, Indigenous, and people of colour.
“We (are) also deeply concerned by the insinuation that advocacy for Palestinian human rights infringes on Jewish human rights or vice versa — we are deep-seated allies united for the liberation of all oppressed peoples.”
The Liberation Zone protesters’ statement urged the university to “not succumb to the fringe minority fighting to overturn this long-awaited commitment to Palestinians and Palestine, thereby compromising the human rights of all oppressed peoples.”