Philanthropist Who Donated $30M to University of Manitoba Denounces ‘Anti-Semitic’ Valedictorian Speech

University of Manitoba photographed May 8, 2024, in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The Canadian Press/John Woods

A philanthropist who donated $30 million to the University of Manitoba is condemning what he says was a “hateful” and “anti-Semitic” speech made by the valedictorian of the medical school that bears the name of his Jewish father.

Billionaire Ernest Rady, who was born in Winnipeg and graduated from the University of Manitoba, says he is “hurt and appalled” by the remarks made by the valedictorian at the May 16 convocation for students from the Max Rady College of Medicine.

“[The] speech not only dishonoured the memory of my father, but also disrespected and disparaged Jewish people as a whole,” Mr. Rady said in a May 20 letter penned to university president Michael Benarroch and college of medicine dean Dr. Peter Nickerson.

The medical school was renamed in honour of Mr. Rady’s late father, a physician, when the real estate mogul donated $30 million to the university in 2016.

Roughly two minutes of the valedictorian’s 10-minute speech last week was devoted to the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, which began after the terrorist group led an attack on Israel that left approximately 1,200 people killed and about 240 individuals held captive.

The speech accused Israel of deliberately targeting hospitals and other civilian infrastructure in its response, and called Israel’s war on Hamas “genocidal.”

“I ask that you join me in calling for an immediate and lasting ceasefire in Palestine. Join me in calling for unrestricted humanitarian and medical aid in Gaza. Join me in calling for an end to the targeting of healthcare facilities, medical staff and journalists,” the valedictorian said.

A video of the ceremony, which included the speech, was originally posted to the university’s YouTube page but was later removed.

University Responds

The university posted a response to the speech on May 17, calling it disappointing that the valedictorian chose to politicize his remarks, adding that it was “disrespectful to some audience members.”

“Statements made in this address were divisive and inflammatory. They should be taken as the views of one student, and do not reflect the views of the college nor the diverse perspectives of its students,” the statement said.

“As we continue our convocation events, may we be mindful of the diversity of our community, our common humanity, and the purpose of these celebrations.”

Mr. Rady called the school’s response “inadequate” and demanded the university denounce the valedictorian’s remarks not only as “inaccurate,” but as “flat-out lies” that were “hurtful to the university’s Jewish students and all people of the Jewish faith.”

The Epoch Times contacted the university for comment, but did not receive a reply prior to publication. Mr. Rady has declined all media interviews.

Mr. Rady, 86, founded American Assets Trust—a publicly traded real estate investment firm valued at more than $4 billion. Aside from being the CEO of the company, which is headquartered in California, Mr. Rady is known for his sizeable charitable donations to education, children’s health, and scientific research.