Ryerson Students Walk Out on Holocaust Education Motion

[shira]

BDS anti-zionist hatred of Jews on campus.

By Aidan Fishman
Campus Advocacy Coordinator
B'nai Brith Canada

A motion to commemorate Holocaust Education Week failed at the semi-annual General Meeting of the Ryerson Student Union (RSU) on Tuesday night, after students opposed to the motion staged a walk-out that caused the meeting to lose quorum. The motion in question, submitted by a member of Hillel Ryerson, would have committed the RSU to offering annual Holocaust education programs to emphasize “the value of pluralism and the acceptance of diversity.”

Ryerson student Aedan O’Connor, who attended the meeting, told B’nai Brith Canada that Jewish students promoting the Holocaust education motion were mocked by their non-Jewish peers, and that the walk-out was a premeditated tactic organized by local members of Students for Justice in Palestine and the Muslim Students Association. She and other students have since gone to social media to condemn the walk-out. Students for Justice in Palestine also put out a call to its members to attend the meeting, despite the fact the motion had nothing to do with Israel.

“This outrageous incident is emblematic of the kind of antisemitism and anti-Jewish sentiment that is rampant on Ontario campuses,” said Amanda Hohmann, National Director of B’nai Brith’s League for Human Rights. “Jewish students need action, not just words, from the Government of Ontario, as much of this bigotry is funded by taxpayer dollars.”

The RSU endorsed the boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) campaign against Israel at a similar meeting in April of 2014. Jewish students were belittled and made to feel uncomfortable at that meeting as well. Then, in October, 2015, graffiti in a Ryerson washroom called for Jews and Israel to “burn in hell....". "As we can see from this saga, as well as similar events recently at York University and Concordia University, what starts with BDS does not end with BDS,” added Hohmann. “More often than not, BDS is simply a gateway drug to more blatant forms of antisemitism.”

http://www.bnaibrith.ca/ryerson_students_walk_out_on_holocaust_education_motion

[cabot]

1. Disgusting

Universities that permit this type of behaviour should have government funding pulled. Tax dollars shouldn't support bigotry.

[shenmue]

2. When I was a kid, classes in history always covered the Holocaust

My friends had older relatives who were survivors.

[leftynyc]

3. Disgusting little snots

They can't even sit still for an education about the holocaust without bringing their politics into it. I'd throw them out of school. And I'm sure some DUers will be right along to explain how this isn't anti-semitism, just anti-Zionism. Morons.

[Little Tich]

4. While I'm all for Holocaust education, it was a good thing that the motion failed.

I read the motion, and two paragraphs in the motion caught my eye:

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT this week is not in dedication to Anti-Zionist propaganda;

and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the RSU pairs with numerous organizations, but primarily make contact with UJA Federation of Greater Toronto to collaborate with events and programs.

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B-sB3LHyF3xHajNDRTV3Z2wteVE

The UJA Federation of Greater Toronto seems to be an organization that is actively advocating against BDS. In fact, this looks like an attempt to introduce a pro-Israel political agenda to an issue that should be non-political. The motion would be absolutely fine without the two paragraphs, but I doubt that the motion would have been even submitted then. If it's only about the Holocaust and not Israel, why bother?

Citing Tony Kushner’s BDS ties, Toronto federation distances itself from event
Source: JTA, March 23, 2016

TORONTO (JTA) — The local Jewish federation has dissociated itself from an event taking place in May at one its beneficiary agencies, the Koffler Centre of the Arts, featuring controversial American playwright Tony Kushner.

In a March 21 statement, the UJA Federation of Greater Toronto noted, after “thoughtful consideration,” that Kushner is a member of the advisory board of Jewish Voice for Peace, “an organization that supports boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) against Israel.”

Read more: http://www.jta.org/2016/03/23/news-opinion/world/tony-kushners-role-in-bds-group-prompts-toronto-federation-to-disassociate-from-event

[shira]

5. Anti-Zionist propaganda should play no role whatsoever during Holocaust week.

Agree or Disagree?

You seem to be advocating for the BDS movement (a fringe movement you said you had problems with) to shit all over Holocaust Education Week with their Jew baiting bullshit.

[Little Tich]

6. Seriously, wouldn't it better with a Holocaust week without any political connotations at all?

I'm sure that those who are not friends of Zionism would benefit from some understanding about the Holocaust too. I learned about the Holocaust from an early age in school, and it taught me that "Never again" isn't an empty slogan. Really.

Knowledge about the Holocaust is way to important to squander on cheap political points.

And FYI, I have no idea about what motivated the students to oppose the motion. All I know is that I personally find it too political and deserved not to be passed.

[shira]

7. Absolutely, so no campus BDS movement shitting on Israel during Holocaust week....

Seems we're in agreement since we both know the BDS campus movement to be quite odious.

[Little Tich]

8. I would say that Israeli politicians milking the Holocaust to the max are worse.

But either way, a Holocaust week without any politics involved would be better.

[shira]

9. You're confused as there are no Israeli politicians in this story.

I wish you'd make up your mind.
Either you're against the BDS movement or for it. I would think any attempt to keep that racist movement away from Holocaust commemoration would be a good thing if you really oppose the BDS movement & its racist adherents in SJP, for example.

[oberliner]

10. Sick people

Believe only in their own reality. Refuse to acknowledge any truths that run counter to their narrative. Mirror image of the Trump crowd.