A pro-Palestine statement that glorifies the recent Hamas attacks on Israel by groups of York University students has been condemned by the University.
“York University unequivocally condemns the inflammatory statement shared by three student unions last night. Freedom of expression has limits and comes with responsibilities. It must never reach into promoting or justifying violence against unarmed civilians,” says the university’s
Oct. 13 social media post on X, formerly Twitter.
The York Federation of Students, York University Graduate Students Association, and Glendon College Student Union groups said in the
statement that they support the Palestinian people and global diaspora “and their ongoing fight against settler-colonialism, apartheid, and genocide.”
The statement also glorified the recent attacks in Israel by Hamas, calling it a resistance.
“Recently, in a strong act of resistance, the Palestinian people tore down and crossed the illegitimate border fence erected by the settler-colonial apartheid state of so-called Israel,” the students wrote. “These resistance efforts are a direct response to the ongoing and violent occupation of Palestine.”
The university says it wants to see the students “clarify” their position and “reaffirm their commitment to non-violence and the safety of all of their members.”
“We call upon the executives of the York Federation of Students, York University Graduate Student Association, and the Glendon College Student Union to immediately clarify that they firmly reject any acts of violence or discrimination against Jewish students or other members of the community,” the social media post said.
Canada has put Hamas on its “terrorist entities” list and said the group is a “radical Islamist-nationalist terrorist organization.”
“It uses political and violent means to pursue its goal of establishing an Islamic Palestinian state in Israel,” Public Safety Canada says.
“Hamas has been one of the primary groups involved in suicide bombings aimed at Israelis since the start of the Al-Aqsa intifada in September 2000.”
The surprise attack by Hamas terrorists on Oct. 7 saw Israeli homes targeted by rockets, and civilians killed in the streets. Terrorists also took hostages, including children, to Gaza. In response, Israel declared war on the terrorist group, leading to attacks in Gaza and further deaths. While the move by Hamas has been largely condemned by world leaders, many pro-Palestinian rallies were held in Canadian cities and other cities around the world days following the terrorist attacks. ‘Colonial Canada’
The students’ statement also condemns Canada and the university they study at for standing beside Israel. “Settler-colonial states like so-called Canada and their institutions continue to legitimize their [Israel’s] existence and those of other settler-colonial states making them complicit in the ongoing genocide. York University is complicit as they continue to invest students’ money into weapons and arms manufacturers.”
“We stand firmly in solidarity with those resisting such oppression, actively contributing to the legitimate fight for justice against settler-colonial nations,” the students’ statement says.
York University has nearly 55,000 students enrolled in undergraduate studies, the school website says. Andrew Chen contributed to this report.
