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<a class="moz-txt-link-freetext"
href="http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/ehab-lotayef/dont-conflate-mcgill-student-politics-with-anti-semitism_a_23273708/"
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<font size="+3"><b>Don't Conflate McGill Student Politics With
Anti-Semitism</b></font><br>
<font size="+1"><b><font size="+2">Opposing Israel's policies and
practices is a political <br>
and human rights position that no one should be punished for
holding</font><br>
<br>
</b></font><br>
<p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;
border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 1.23em;
line-height: 27px; font-family: NotoNashkArabic, "Helvetica
Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Arial, "ヒラギノ角ゴ Pro W3",
"Hiragino Kaku Gothic Pro", Osaka, メイリオ, Meiryo,
"ＭＳ Ｐゴシック", "MS PGothic", sans-serif; color:
rgb(51, 51, 51); font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures:
normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal;
letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start;
text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal;
widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;
background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-style:
initial; text-decoration-color: initial;">McGill, like many
other universities worldwide, has been the site of debates over
the international movement for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions
of/from/on Israel (BDS) for the past few years.</p>
<p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;
border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 1.23em;
line-height: 27px; font-family: NotoNashkArabic, "Helvetica
Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Arial, "ヒラギノ角ゴ Pro W3",
"Hiragino Kaku Gothic Pro", Osaka, メイリオ, Meiryo,
"ＭＳ Ｐゴシック", "MS PGothic", sans-serif; color:
rgb(51, 51, 51); font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures:
normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal;
letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start;
text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal;
widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;
background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-style:
initial; text-decoration-color: initial;">A<span> </span><a
href="http://montrealgazette.com/news/local-news/controversial-vote-by-mcgill-students-supports-bds"
rel="nofollow" target="_blank" style="list-style: none;
margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit;
color: rgb(13, 190, 152); text-decoration: underline;"
moz-do-not-send="true">resolution was passed</a><span> </span>by
the McGill Undergraduate Student Society (SSMU) in support of
BDS in February 2016, but<span> </span><a
href="http://publications.mcgill.ca/reporter/2016/02/students-reject-bds-motion/"
rel="nofollow" target="_blank" style="list-style: none;
margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit;
color: rgb(13, 190, 152); text-decoration: underline;"
moz-do-not-send="true">it was rejected in the subsequent
online ratification process</a>. However, an important caveat
is needed here: after appeal, the online ratification process
was ruled invalid because phone and email lists, paid
advertisements and social media campaigning were used, in
violation of the Internal Regulations. Unfortunately, this
ruling only came after the school year had ended, and so there
was no possibility of repeating the ratification process. Thus,
the BDS motion was considered not ratified, and was not adopted.</p>
<p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;
border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 1.23em;
line-height: 27px; font-family: NotoNashkArabic, "Helvetica
Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Arial, "ヒラギノ角ゴ Pro W3",
"Hiragino Kaku Gothic Pro", Osaka, メイリオ, Meiryo,
"ＭＳ Ｐゴシック", "MS PGothic", sans-serif; color:
rgb(51, 51, 51); font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures:
normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal;
letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start;
text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal;
widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;
background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-style:
initial; text-decoration-color: initial;"><br>
</p>
<p style="list-style: outside none none; margin: 0px 0px 20px;
padding: 0px; border: 0px none; box-sizing: inherit; font-size:
1.23em; line-height: 27px; font-family:
NotoNashkArabic,"Helvetica
Neue",Helvetica,Roboto,Arial,"ヒラギノ角ゴ Pro
W3","Hiragino Kaku Gothic
Pro",Osaka,メイリオ,Meiryo,"ＭＳ Ｐゴシック","MS
PGothic",sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-style:
normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps:
normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align:
start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space:
normal; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;
background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-style:
initial; text-decoration-color: initial;">To counter the BDS
motion and pre-empt any similar ones in the future, the Judicial
Board of SSMU<span> </span><a
href="https://www.algemeiner.com/2017/09/18/mcgill-university-ratifies-ruling-rejecting-bds-for-promoting-discrimination-based-on-nationality/"
rel="nofollow" target="_blank" style="list-style: none;
margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit;
color: rgb(13, 190, 152); text-decoration: underline;"
moz-do-not-send="true">ruled BDS unconstitutional according to
SSMU laws.</a><span> </span>This decision was ratified on
Sept. 17, 2017 by the Board of Directors (BoD) of SSMU.</p>
<p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;
border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 1.23em;
line-height: 27px; font-family: NotoNashkArabic, "Helvetica
Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Arial, "ヒラギノ角ゴ Pro W3",
"Hiragino Kaku Gothic Pro", Osaka, メイリオ, Meiryo,
"ＭＳ Ｐゴシック", "MS PGothic", sans-serif; color:
rgb(51, 51, 51); font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures:
normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal;
letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start;
text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal;
widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;
background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-style:
initial; text-decoration-color: initial;">At the SSMU Fall 2017
General Assembly (GA) on Oct. 23,<span> </span><a
href="http://www.mcgilltribune.com/news/democratize-ssmu-motions-non-confidence-in-president-at-fall-ga-103117/"
rel="nofollow" target="_blank" style="list-style: none;
margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit;
color: rgb(13, 190, 152); text-decoration: underline;"
moz-do-not-send="true">students voted against affirming</a><span> </span>three
appointed BoD members, two of whom were against BDS and
supported the "unconstitutionality" ruling.</p>
<p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;
border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 1.23em;
line-height: 27px; font-family: NotoNashkArabic, "Helvetica
Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Arial, "ヒラギノ角ゴ Pro W3",
"Hiragino Kaku Gothic Pro", Osaka, メイリオ, Meiryo,
"ＭＳ Ｐゴシック", "MS PGothic", sans-serif; color:
rgb(51, 51, 51); font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures:
normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal;
letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start;
text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal;
widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;
background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-style:
initial; text-decoration-color: initial;">All these events,
despite some question marks, irregularities and procedural
concerns, remain within acceptable limits of student politics
and the students' practice of their democratic governance.</p>
<p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;
border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 1.23em;
line-height: 27px; font-family: NotoNashkArabic, "Helvetica
Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Arial, "ヒラギノ角ゴ Pro W3",
"Hiragino Kaku Gothic Pro", Osaka, メイリオ, Meiryo,
"ＭＳ Ｐゴシック", "MS PGothic", sans-serif; color:
rgb(51, 51, 51); font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures:
normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal;
letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start;
text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal;
widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;
background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-style:
initial; text-decoration-color: initial;">What is alarming is
what followed. A claim was made —<span> </span><a
href="https://globalnews.ca/news/3829503/mcgill-investigating-anti-semitism-re-election-vote/"
rel="nofollow" target="_blank" style="list-style: none;
margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit;
color: rgb(13, 190, 152); text-decoration: underline;"
moz-do-not-send="true">one that made media headlines</a>— that
the student directors<span> </span><a
href="http://www.mcgilltribune.com/news/democratize-ssmu-motions-non-confidence-in-president-at-fall-ga-103117/"
rel="nofollow" target="_blank" style="list-style: none;
margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit;
color: rgb(13, 190, 152); text-decoration: underline;"
moz-do-not-send="true">were voted down in a show of
anti-Semitism</a><span> </span>when, quite clearly, this was
strictly a political difference and an exercise of democratic
choice: the three students were not affirmed because they were
anti-BDS or deemed unqualified by the student body, not because
they were Jewish. In fact, only one of the students was Jewish.</p>
<p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;
border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 1.23em;
line-height: 27px; font-family: NotoNashkArabic, "Helvetica
Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Arial, "ヒラギノ角ゴ Pro W3",
"Hiragino Kaku Gothic Pro", Osaka, メイリオ, Meiryo,
"ＭＳ Ｐゴシック", "MS PGothic", sans-serif; color:
rgb(51, 51, 51); font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures:
normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal;
letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start;
text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal;
widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;
background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-style:
initial; text-decoration-color: initial;">As a Muslim and an
Arab living in the West for decades, I understand how it feels
to be the subject of discrimination or hate, and I would never
take lightly any form of racism or discrimination. Anti-Semitism
is a deplorable crime that cannot be ignored. I understand that
very well and always combat it actively, although I am not
personally a target.</p>
<p style="list-style: outside none none; margin: 0px 0px 20px;
padding: 0px; border: 0px none; box-sizing: inherit; font-size:
1.23em; line-height: 27px; font-family:
NotoNashkArabic,"Helvetica
Neue",Helvetica,Roboto,Arial,"ヒラギノ角ゴ Pro
W3","Hiragino Kaku Gothic
Pro",Osaka,メイリオ,Meiryo,"ＭＳ Ｐゴシック","MS
PGothic",sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-style:
normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps:
normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align:
start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space:
normal; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;
background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-style:
initial; text-decoration-color: initial;"><br>
</p>
<p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;
border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 1.23em;
line-height: 27px; font-family: NotoNashkArabic, "Helvetica
Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Arial, "ヒラギノ角ゴ Pro W3",
"Hiragino Kaku Gothic Pro", Osaka, メイリオ, Meiryo,
"ＭＳ Ｐゴシック", "MS PGothic", sans-serif; color:
rgb(51, 51, 51); font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures:
normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal;
letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start;
text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal;
widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;
background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-style:
initial; text-decoration-color: initial;">On the other hand,
being anti-Israel or anti-Zionism, or opposing Israel's policies
and practices — many of which are long-condemned by the UN and
counter to UN resolutions — is a political and human rights
position that no one should be condemned, let alone punished,
for holding.</p>
<p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;
border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 1.23em;
line-height: 27px; font-family: NotoNashkArabic, "Helvetica
Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Arial, "ヒラギノ角ゴ Pro W3",
"Hiragino Kaku Gothic Pro", Osaka, メイリオ, Meiryo,
"ＭＳ Ｐゴシック", "MS PGothic", sans-serif; color:
rgb(51, 51, 51); font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures:
normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal;
letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start;
text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal;
widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;
background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-style:
initial; text-decoration-color: initial;">As someone who
witnessed firsthand Israel's discriminatory, unjust policies and
practices against the Palestinian people, I stand with all who
support justice and freedom, and who affirm their rights to act
against Israel or Zionism in any peaceful manner they choose.</p>
<p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;
border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 1.23em;
line-height: 27px; font-family: NotoNashkArabic, "Helvetica
Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Arial, "ヒラギノ角ゴ Pro W3",
"Hiragino Kaku Gothic Pro", Osaka, メイリオ, Meiryo,
"ＭＳ Ｐゴシック", "MS PGothic", sans-serif; color:
rgb(51, 51, 51); font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures:
normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal;
letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start;
text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal;
widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;
background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-style:
initial; text-decoration-color: initial;">Irresponsibly using
the allegation of anti-Semitism in the context of the McGill
SSMU events is dangerous. When the claim of anti-Semitism is
misused to stifle debate, defend a political entity or block a
democratic process, it loses its value. Thus, real incidents of
anti-Semitism are at risk of not being taken seriously or not
given the attention they deserve.</p>
<p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;
border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 1.23em;
line-height: 27px; font-family: NotoNashkArabic, "Helvetica
Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Arial, "ヒラギノ角ゴ Pro W3",
"Hiragino Kaku Gothic Pro", Osaka, メイリオ, Meiryo,
"ＭＳ Ｐゴシック", "MS PGothic", sans-serif; color:
rgb(51, 51, 51); font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures:
normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal;
letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start;
text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal;
widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;
background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-style:
initial; text-decoration-color: initial;">Conflating
anti-Zionism or anti-Israel protests with anti-Semitism does not
benefit or protect the Jewish people from anti-Semitism. On the
contrary, it may put the Jewish people in a negative light in
the eyes of the many who see Israel and Zionism as unjust and
oppressive to the Palestinian people.</p>
<p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;
border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 1.23em;
line-height: 27px; font-family: NotoNashkArabic, "Helvetica
Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Arial, "ヒラギノ角ゴ Pro W3",
"Hiragino Kaku Gothic Pro", Osaka, メイリオ, Meiryo,
"ＭＳ Ｐゴシック", "MS PGothic", sans-serif; color:
rgb(51, 51, 51); font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures:
normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal;
letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start;
text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal;
widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;
background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-style:
initial; text-decoration-color: initial;">Another alarming
aspect of the McGill BDS debate is the interference of the
university administration in student life and its attempt to
influence student opinions. In early 2016,<span> </span><a
href="http://publications.mcgill.ca/reporter/2016/02/students-reject-bds-motion/"
rel="nofollow" target="_blank" style="list-style: none;
margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit;
color: rgb(13, 190, 152); text-decoration: underline;"
moz-do-not-send="true">the administration made its position
known very quickly</a>, announcing, in unambiguous terms, that
it is not only against BDS but will not allow the student motion
to influence university policies.</p>
<br>
<p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;
border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 1.23em;
line-height: 27px; font-family: NotoNashkArabic, "Helvetica
Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Arial, "ヒラギノ角ゴ Pro W3",
"Hiragino Kaku Gothic Pro", Osaka, メイリオ, Meiryo,
"ＭＳ Ｐゴシック", "MS PGothic", sans-serif; color:
rgb(51, 51, 51); font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures:
normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal;
letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start;
text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal;
widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;
background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-style:
initial; text-decoration-color: initial;">Again, over the past
couple of weeks, since anti-BDS students were voted off the SSMU
BoD, the administration seemed under tremendous pressure to act
and reaffirm its position.</p>
<p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;
border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 1.23em;
line-height: 27px; font-family: NotoNashkArabic, "Helvetica
Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Arial, "ヒラギノ角ゴ Pro W3",
"Hiragino Kaku Gothic Pro", Osaka, メイリオ, Meiryo,
"ＭＳ Ｐゴシック", "MS PGothic", sans-serif; color:
rgb(51, 51, 51); font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures:
normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal;
letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start;
text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal;
widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;
background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-style:
initial; text-decoration-color: initial;">The administration's
reaction has been disproportionate to an allegation of
anti-Semitism that, until now, is no more than that — an
allegation — contradicted by the publicly known and observed
facts.</p>
<p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;
border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 1.23em;
line-height: 27px; font-family: NotoNashkArabic, "Helvetica
Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Arial, "ヒラギノ角ゴ Pro W3",
"Hiragino Kaku Gothic Pro", Osaka, メイリオ, Meiryo,
"ＭＳ Ｐゴシック", "MS PGothic", sans-serif; color:
rgb(51, 51, 51); font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures:
normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal;
letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start;
text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal;
widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;
background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-style:
initial; text-decoration-color: initial;">Immediately after the
Oct. 23 SSMU GA, the<span> </span><a
href="https://www.mcgill.ca/principal/communications/statements/upholding-mcgills-values"
rel="nofollow" target="_blank" style="list-style: none;
margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit;
color: rgb(13, 190, 152); text-decoration: underline;"
moz-do-not-send="true">principal went public and announced
through an email</a><span> </span>to the entire McGill
community that there will be an official university
investigation as well as the creation of a support line and a
task force. This was<span> </span><a
href="https://www.mcgill.ca/principal/communications/statements/message-principal-re-steps-being-taken-address-allegations-anti-semitism"
rel="nofollow" target="_blank" style="list-style: none;
margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit;
color: rgb(13, 190, 152); text-decoration: underline;"
moz-do-not-send="true">followed by another email</a><span> </span>with
more details about the investigation. McGill's was a
disproportionate response to unfounded and unproven allegations.</p>
<p style="list-style: outside none none; margin: 0px 0px 20px;
padding: 0px; border: 0px none; box-sizing: inherit; font-size:
1.23em; line-height: 27px; font-family:
NotoNashkArabic,"Helvetica
Neue",Helvetica,Roboto,Arial,"ヒラギノ角ゴ Pro
W3","Hiragino Kaku Gothic
Pro",Osaka,メイリオ,Meiryo,"ＭＳ Ｐゴシック","MS
PGothic",sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-style:
normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps:
normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align:
start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space:
normal; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;
background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-style:
initial; text-decoration-color: initial;"><br>
</p>
<p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;
border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 1.23em;
line-height: 27px; font-family: NotoNashkArabic, "Helvetica
Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Arial, "ヒラギノ角ゴ Pro W3",
"Hiragino Kaku Gothic Pro", Osaka, メイリオ, Meiryo,
"ＭＳ Ｐゴシック", "MS PGothic", sans-serif; color:
rgb(51, 51, 51); font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures:
normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal;
letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start;
text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal;
widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;
background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-style:
initial; text-decoration-color: initial;">Do these actions by
the university administration constitute interference in student
governance and affairs? Are they intended to intimidate and
silence students who advocate BDS or who stand against Israeli
policies?</p>
<p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;
border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 1.23em;
line-height: 27px; font-family: NotoNashkArabic, "Helvetica
Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Arial, "ヒラギノ角ゴ Pro W3",
"Hiragino Kaku Gothic Pro", Osaka, メイリオ, Meiryo,
"ＭＳ Ｐゴシック", "MS PGothic", sans-serif; color:
rgb(51, 51, 51); font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures:
normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal;
letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start;
text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal;
widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;
background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-style:
initial; text-decoration-color: initial;">With the anti-BDS
campaign, led by Israel and supported by Zionist groups
worldwide, going to great lengths to fight the<span> </span><a
href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jun/03/israel-brands-palestinian-boycott-strategic-threat-netanyahu"
rel="nofollow" target="_blank" style="list-style: none;
margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit;
color: rgb(13, 190, 152); text-decoration: underline;"
moz-do-not-send="true">BDS movement on university campuses</a><span> </span>and<span> </span><a
href="https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/1.659269"
rel="nofollow" target="_blank" style="list-style: none;
margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit;
color: rgb(13, 190, 152); text-decoration: underline;"
moz-do-not-send="true">elsewhere</a>, I can only wonder how
much pressure is McGill under.</p>
<p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;
border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 1.23em;
line-height: 27px; font-family: NotoNashkArabic, "Helvetica
Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Arial, "ヒラギノ角ゴ Pro W3",
"Hiragino Kaku Gothic Pro", Osaka, メイリオ, Meiryo,
"ＭＳ Ｐゴシック", "MS PGothic", sans-serif; color:
rgb(51, 51, 51); font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures:
normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal;
letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start;
text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal;
widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;
background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-style:
initial; text-decoration-color: initial;">It all seems like an
abuse of the term "anti-Semitism" and a scare tactic directed
towards those who confront Israel or promote BDS.</p>
<p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;
border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 1.23em;
line-height: 27px; font-family: NotoNashkArabic, "Helvetica
Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Arial, "ヒラギノ角ゴ Pro W3",
"Hiragino Kaku Gothic Pro", Osaka, メイリオ, Meiryo,
"ＭＳ Ｐゴシック", "MS PGothic", sans-serif; color:
rgb(51, 51, 51); font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures:
normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal;
letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start;
text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal;
widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;
background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-style:
initial; text-decoration-color: initial;">What will be left if
we deny Palestinian BDS supporters the legal venues to express
their views and advocate for action? Is this how the university
will ensure that "values and principles of academic freedom,
integrity, responsibility, equity and inclusiveness are
respected," as stated in the principal's email on Oct. 25?</p>
<p style="list-style: outside none none; margin: 0px 0px 20px;
padding: 0px; border: 0px none; box-sizing: inherit; font-size:
1.23em; line-height: 27px; font-family:
NotoNashkArabic,"Helvetica
Neue",Helvetica,Roboto,Arial,"ヒラギノ角ゴ Pro
W3","Hiragino Kaku Gothic
Pro",Osaka,メイリオ,Meiryo,"ＭＳ Ｐゴシック","MS
PGothic",sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-style:
normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps:
normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align:
start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space:
normal; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;
background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-style:
initial; text-decoration-color: initial;"><br>
</p>
<p style="list-style: outside none none; margin: 0px 0px 20px;
padding: 0px; border: 0px none; box-sizing: inherit; font-size:
1.23em; line-height: 27px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-style:
normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps:
normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align:
start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space:
normal; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;
background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-style:
initial; text-decoration-color: initial;"><font face="Times New
Roman, Times, serif"><em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px;
padding: 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit;">Ehab
Lotayef is a writer, activist, poet & IT manager at
McGill University</em></font></p>
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