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Canadian Jewish groups call on University of British Columbia to address ‘sharp rise’ in antisemitism 

They suggest five actions directed towards the administration to counter such concerning behavior at the start of a new academic year.

The Irving K. Barber Learning Centre of the University of British Columbia.. Credit: CjayD via Wikimedia Commons.
The Irving K. Barber Learning Centre of the University of British Columbia.. Credit: CjayD via Wikimedia Commons.

A coalition of Canadian Jewish organizations is vocalizing the need to address Jew-hatred on campus after multiple incidents at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver.

Allied Voices for Israel, Center for Israel and Jewish Affairs, Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center, Hillel BC, Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver and StandWithUs Canada released a joint statement on Oct. 23 before Simchat Torah—the last of the Jewish fall holidays—on “the sharp rise in antisemitic incidents” at UBC.

The statement said that “since the start of the academic year, Jewish staff, students and faculty have faced an increasingly hostile environment that cannot be allowed to persist.”

“Campus buildings have been vandalized with antisemitic slogans, Jewish faculty members have been targeted in smear campaigns,” the groups stated. “Anti-Israel student clubs promoted violence and disinformation on their social-media platforms.”

The organizations suggested five actions directed towards the administration to counter such behavior: condemning antisemitic incidents; holding student groups accountable; implementing education programs; fostering an inclusive campus environment; and engaging directly with Jewish students.

“We stand ready to work alongside UBC to address these urgent concerns and ensure that all members of the university community can thrive in a safe and welcoming environment,” the statement concluded.

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