There is more work to be done to combat anti-Semitism on campuses, college presidents say

Four university presidents today admitted to MPs that anti-Semitism is a problem on their campuses.

MPs questioned the presidents of the University of Toronto, McGill University, Concordia University and the University of British Columbia about their codes of conduct, responses to pro-Palestinian encampments and efforts to engage Jewish students in equity, diversity and inclusion initiatives.

When Liberal MP Anthony Housefather asked all four if anti-Semitism is a major problem on their campuses, they all said yes.

Meric Gertler, president of the University of Toronto, said there have been “comprehensive and multifaceted” efforts to combat anti-Semtisim.

“Are they enough? Until there are no further cases of anti-Semitism, he must say no for us and for society as a whole,” Gertler said during his public remarks.

Their testimony on Parliament Hill comes as Jewish leaders, students and teachers have expressed concern about a rise in hate speech and violence since the war between Israel and Hamas began last fall.

Graham Carr, Concordia’s president, highlighted several incidents that have occurred at the school since October 7, including what he described as a “shameful” attack on the Jewish group Hillel Concordia.

Carr also noted that there has been peaceful activism on campus, with pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel groups placing information tables next to each other without incident.

“To be transparent, I share these examples both positively and negatively. Yes, tensions exist at Concordia, but there was also a remarkable calm.” Gertler said the school’s senior administration has been meeting regularly with Jewish teachers and students since Oct. 7 to listen to their concerns and provide advice on how to support them.

Gertler also highlighted an apology in 2022 by the university’s medical school and affiliated hospitals for the “shameful historical practice” of imposing quotas on Jewish medical students and hospital interns from the 1940s to the 1960s.

“Our efforts to combat anti-Semitism are comprehensive and multi-faceted. Are they enough? Until there are no further cases of anti-Semitism, the answer for us and for society as a whole must be no,” Gertler said during his public remarks.

The rise came as universities faced encampments of pro-Palestinian demonstrators.

Conservative MP Melissa Lantsman questioned Gertler about the campus encampment and asked whether any students have been suspended for behavior that has endangered Jewish students.

Gertler said that while no one has been suspended yet, “processes are ongoing.”