Anti-semitic flyers fuel rage at U of T
TORONTO (CUP) — University of Toronto's Jewish community is reeling after Toronto police confiscated hundreds of anti-Semitic flyers found on Ryerson, York, and all three University of Toronto campuses last week.
The pamphlets, bearing the title “Jewish Supremacism Unmasked,” were found inserted into library books and sitting on library shelves on Monday. The brochure contained anti-Semitic and anti-Israel attacks, and shocked both students and members of the wider community.
“In the 11 years that I have been working on campus in Toronto, I have never seen anything this disturbing,” said Zac Kaye, executive director of Hillel of Greater Toronto.
“I find that it creates a very hostile environment for students, not just Jewish students on campus, that one group would target another like this,” said Hagai Kuperman, president of Hillel at U of T.
Some of the more bizarre claims of the pamphlet were that both the U.S. civil rights movement of the 1960s and the attacks of September 11 had been part of a worldwide Jewish conspiracy.
U of T's deputy provost and vice-provost (students), professor David Farrar condemned “hatred in all its guises” in response to the crimes. Jewish groups with campus connections are taking steps to do so, minimizing the damage caused by the materials.
“We're working to support those who have been affected by these pamphlets, and to ensure that they're taken off campus,” said Tilly R. Shames, director of Israel Affairs at Hillel.
The anti-Semitic campaign comes close to both the 25th annual Holocaust Education Week, which ends Wednesday, and the annual meeting of the United Jewish Communities (UJC) General Assembly, which convenes in Toronto from Sunday to Nov. 16 and at which Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has been invited to speak.
News of Sharon's visit had already sparked a postering campaign against him around campus, which is close to the UJC, but there was no evidence the two campaigns were related.
Although the materials were only found on university grounds, it is not yet clear whether their source was someone connected to the university.
“If that is the case, we will take swift and appropriate action,” said Farrar. Shames emphasized that community members had been pleased with U of T's quick response to the situation.
Campus police said Friday that all remaining copies of the pamphlets had been destroyed or turned over to Toronto police.
The pamphlets, bearing the title “Jewish Supremacism Unmasked,” were found inserted into library books and sitting on library shelves on Monday. The brochure contained anti-Semitic and anti-Israel attacks, and shocked both students and members of the wider community.
“In the 11 years that I have been working on campus in Toronto, I have never seen anything this disturbing,” said Zac Kaye, executive director of Hillel of Greater Toronto.
“I find that it creates a very hostile environment for students, not just Jewish students on campus, that one group would target another like this,” said Hagai Kuperman, president of Hillel at U of T.
Some of the more bizarre claims of the pamphlet were that both the U.S. civil rights movement of the 1960s and the attacks of September 11 had been part of a worldwide Jewish conspiracy.
U of T's deputy provost and vice-provost (students), professor David Farrar condemned “hatred in all its guises” in response to the crimes. Jewish groups with campus connections are taking steps to do so, minimizing the damage caused by the materials.
“We're working to support those who have been affected by these pamphlets, and to ensure that they're taken off campus,” said Tilly R. Shames, director of Israel Affairs at Hillel.
The anti-Semitic campaign comes close to both the 25th annual Holocaust Education Week, which ends Wednesday, and the annual meeting of the United Jewish Communities (UJC) General Assembly, which convenes in Toronto from Sunday to Nov. 16 and at which Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has been invited to speak.
News of Sharon's visit had already sparked a postering campaign against him around campus, which is close to the UJC, but there was no evidence the two campaigns were related.
Although the materials were only found on university grounds, it is not yet clear whether their source was someone connected to the university.
“If that is the case, we will take swift and appropriate action,” said Farrar. Shames emphasized that community members had been pleased with U of T's quick response to the situation.
Campus police said Friday that all remaining copies of the pamphlets had been destroyed or turned over to Toronto police.
