Re: York professor among those charged in Indigo store vandalism (The Globe and Mail (BC Edition)), Nov 25, 2023

It's interesting to note that the JFN's launch event (link shared below) was a "press conference in support of the recent motion of the Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT) challenging the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance working definition of antisemitism (IHRA)."

For further context (and to offer an example of a national organization that does not support the IHRA definition) here’s information from CAUT's 2021 Council, where "Council delegates unanimously passed a resolution to oppose the adoption of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance Working Definition of Antisemitism (IHRA) at Canadian universities and colleges, citing threats to academic freedom on Canadian campuses" and an editorial posted on CAUT's website.

I think the JFN’s letter provides a very helpful and thoughtful voice to the reasons why the protest at the Indigo store is not a hate-motivated crime; rather it is a protest against the actions of the State of Israel and the CEO of Indigo’s sponsorship of the Lone Soldier Program. Being charged with vandalism may be a risk that protestors accept. Charging protestors with a “hate motivated” crime and breaking into their homes to make arrests – that I find unconscionable.

Leanna

From: Rachel Altman <rachel_altman@sfu.ca>
Sent: Wednesday, November 29, 2023 4:37 PM
To: Baharak Yousefi <byousefi@sfu.ca>; Gerardo Otero <otero@sfu.ca>
Cc: academic-discussion@sfu.ca
Subject: Re: York professor among those charged in Indigo store vandalism (The Globe and Mail (BC Edition)), Nov 25, 2023

I, for one, am really tired of the (ab)use of the views of a small proportion of Jews to justify antisemitism and the demonization of Israel. IHRA is very widely accepted in Jewish circles, which is why so many countries, organizations, regions (including the city of Vancouver) and have adopted it. To deny this fact is to deny Jews' understanding of and experience with antisemitism. And holding up this letter -- or statements from fringe groups such as Independent Jewish Voices -- as evidence that this crime (yes, vandalism is a crime, not a peaceful protest!) was justified is, frankly, unconscionable.

Rachel

From: Baharak Yousefi <byousefi@sfu.ca>
Sent: Wednesday, November 29, 2023 3:45:07 PM
To: Gerardo Otero
Cc: academic-discussion@sfu.ca
Subject: Re: York professor among those charged in Indigo store vandalism (The Globe and Mail (BC Edition)), Nov 25, 2023

Dear Gerardo,

I thought you may be interested in the attached letter sent by the Jewish Faculty Network to Mayor Olivia Chow and others.

Apologies for the JPEG format. I am sharing it from this Twitter/X post. While this particular letter is signed collectively, over 170 Jewish scholars from across the country signed the Network's 2021 statement against the IHRA definition of antisemitism. You can see their names here:

https://jewishfaculty.ca/jewish-faculty-against-the-ihra-defn/

And a link to JFN's launch event for anyone interested in learning more.

All best,

Baharak

From: Gerardo Otero <otero@sfu.ca>
Sent: November 25, 2023 9:15 AM
To: Politics, Institutions and Development; Politics, Institutions and Development; Umer Hussain; academic-discussion@sfu.ca
Subject: York professor among those charged in Indigo store vandalism (The Globe and Mail (BC Edition)), Nov 25, 2023

Among other things, this article tells the story of tremendous abuse of police power in Toronto against a professor engaged in protest.

York professor among those charged in Indigo store vandalism

SEAN FINE JUSTICE WRITER

The Globe and Mail (BC Edition)

Nov 25, 2023