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February 20, 2009
Jews at York are intimidated
Pro- and anti-Israel groups have confrontations on school campus.
DAVE GORDON
Anti-Semitism at York University in Toronto reached a zenith Feb. 11, according to one student group, when about 100 protesters violently obstructed the entrance to the school's Hillel office, and shouted racial slurs.
The confrontation began when 40 supporters of a student-led group called Drop YFS (York Federation of Students) held a press conference, touting their success in garnering 5,000 signatures to petition what they believe was the YFS's inactivity during the university's 12-week teacher strike. Among the petition organizers were Jewish and other students who also opposed the student government's anti-Israel focus.
Protesters interrupted the gathering, chanting anti-Semitic epithets, such as "Zionism is racism!" and "Racists off campus!" About 20 conference attendees were forced to flee. Pursued by the protesters, they took cover in the Hillel office. Protesters pounded on the doors and walls of the office, until police intervened an hour later, to offer the hiding students a safe exit.
"The YFS thinks this has something to do with race, politics and something they think they can quash very easily through intimidation and harassment," said Orna Hollander, director of Canadian Coalition of Israel Activists. "This isn't just a Jewish issue. It's a Canadian community concern in a major way."
Annie Gamliel, one of four signatories to a mass e-mail letter sent out to the Jewish community in Toronto that evening, alerting them of the escalating tensions on campus, had been trapped in the Hillel office. She described it as "the most terrifying moment of my life. " She was locked in a smaller room with two other "hysterical friends." In light of these and other recent anti-Semitic events, Gamliel walks the campus in fear.
"If the choice was between studying at the [York] library or to study in the bedroom, I will now choose the bedroom. It's safer when you're not at York. And when it used to be, Where is my car in the parking lot?, it's now, Is there someone following me?"
Another petition signatory and witness to the events from outside the office, Aaron Rosenberg, offered a reason why he believes the YFS board should be ousted.
"The YFS appears to believe that this is a Zionist conspiracy. Some people went so far as to print out what we call a 'hit list,' with pictures and names of Jewish students and slanderously connecting them to anti-Islamic beliefs, which, of course, has no basis in fact."
Rosenberg, president of Hasbara, an Israel activism group on campus, says that this incident was one of many in recent months. He had seen graffiti etched on buildings that read "Death to Jews" and "Death to Zionists." He also noted last week a young Israel activist was called at home and heard death threats to him and his family. As well, he is aware of a young woman who was assaulted at York when she picked up anti-Israel pamphlets from the ground and a young man from an anti-Israel group, Students Against Israeli Apartheid, took her by the collar and shook her around. "That's just another day at York University," Rosenberg said wryly.
Elinor Izmaylov, spokesperson for the Drop YFS campaign, added that the panic levels on campus are at an all-time high. "Students are fearful of wearing their yarmulkes, hamsas or magen David necklaces. We're intimidated every single day," she said. "A girl once walked passed me and said that I smelled like a Zionist." The fear is so palpable for the Jewish woman that, when asked to quantify how terrified she is, she said, "On a scale from one to 10, I'd say I'm an eight."
As far as Jewish community support for Israel activists during these crises, many students said they feel abandoned.
"There are major [Jewish] donors who are still supporting York University who actually turn a blind eye to what's been going on," said Rosenberg.
Gamliel said that the community pays the trouble lip service, and she wishes funding students was more of a priority.
"I have noticed a lot of great feedback from the community in the form of e-mails, but, to be frank, I was terrified on Wednesday and, by Monday, people will forget about it and move on with their lives. I don't think the community is as worried as they should be. They think we're safe ... I feel extremely threatened, and feel like Jewish organizations who tell us our whole lives to love Israel – it's time for them to put their money where their mouth is," she said. "They should start funding [Jewish student activists] and stop supporting York and stop donating to York and demand an apology for what's been happening."
Hollander lamented that the Jewish community generally is all too quick to give unsolicited advice.
"I think a lot of people in the community say, 'Why don't the students do x or y?' I think they don't realize the students have the finger on the pulse of what's going on, they're quite ingenious and very smart. They don't need advice on who to bring and what to do."
Coincidentally, the day after the students had been holed in at the Hillel office, the Students Against Israeli Apartheid group staged a demonstration in the Vari Hall Building, raising placards that read, "Stop the Siege in Gaza." In response, Hillel and Hasbara together planned a pro-Israel gathering, replete with Israeli flags and "completely a message of peace," explained York student Shira Gilboord, an attendee. Each side, she said, attracted about 200 people, kept separate from each other by campus security.
Dave Gordon is a freelance writer in Toronto. His website is davegordonwrites.com.
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