McGill sides with Jewish student over Israel trip controversy
Jordyn Wright (Facebook photo)
MONTREAL – McGill University is siding with Jewish student Jordyn Wright after the Student Society of McGill University (SSMU) Legislative Council voted to remove her from the SSMU Board of Directors – simply because she was planning on participating on a Hillel Montreal trip to Israel and the Palestinian Territories.
As detailed in Wright’s incredibly brave account of what transpired, she was the only student facing such action despite the fact that two other Directors (who aren’t Jewish) also planned on going on the trip.
In an email sent to McGill students by Fabrice Labeau, Deputy Provost (Student Life and Learning), Labeau said the SSMU’s decision fostered “a culture of ostracization” and that it is “contrary to the university’s values of inclusion, diversity and respect.”
Screenshot of email sent to McGill students
This is the second time this semester that Labeau had to intervene on behalf of Jewish students. Earlier this year, he forced the McGill Daily to print a strong rebuke of the Daily’s antisemitic remarks on Zionism, which it did in conspicuously small font and only following its own false and misguided editorial on Zionism.
McGill’s stance in support of Wright is an important victory for freedom of speech, human rights, and Jewish students – not just at McGill, but on campuses from across the country.
“Given the hostile antisemitic climate on campuses today following incidents at York, U of T St. George, and U of T Scarborough, providing trips such as the Hillel Face to Face program or the Hasbara Fellowships Canada program are essential in teaching students the reality about Israel, while also promoting tolerance, freedom of speech, objectivity, and an understanding of the issues,” said Daniel Koren, executive director of Hasbara Canada.
“We would like to, again, congratulate Wright on taking a principled stand against anti-Jewish bias and bigotry,” he continued. “Kol HaKavod!”
