Canadian New Democratic Party leadership candidate Heather McPherson expressed support for anti-Israel activists who stormed a Toronto lecture by IDF veterans visiting the country and called for investigations into their alleged war crimes.
Last Wednesday, one IDF veteran guest speaker was wounded, and five anti-Israel activists were arrested after the activists allegedly stormed a building where a Toronto student group was hosting a lecture by IDF veterans.
McPherson agreed with the activists that an IDF speaking tour organized by Students Supporting Israel (SSI) was unacceptable and that they had a right to protest the event held at a private venue by SSI’s Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) chapter.
“After hearing from student activists, I am alarmed by the events that occurred this week, especially as a number of young people were hospitalized after attempting to interrupt the event that was taking place,” said McPherson.
Students for Justice in Palestine claimed at a Friday press briefing that one of the lecturers and the Toronto Police Service had assaulted them.
Videos published by SSI showed one of the speakers bracing a glass door shut before one of the activists allegedly smashed the pane with a drill bit. The veteran was wounded by the glass shards but went on to physically expel the anti-Israel activists from the building. The veteran and SSI members then barricaded the entrance with chairs.
SSI founder Ilan Sinelnikov criticized McPherson for failing to mention the violence, damage to property, and forcible entry onto private property.
McPherson was 'outraged'
McPherson said that she was “outraged” by the IDF soldiers touring Canadian universities and that she would be writing to academic institutions that platformed the events.
“It is unacceptable for any institution of higher learning to permit active members of a foreign military force – particularly one currently engaged in genocide, forced starvation, and forced displacement of civilians – to use resources from publicly funded post-secondary institutions,” said McPherson.
“It is utterly unacceptable for Canadian universities to provide a platform to members of a military force that is committing genocide. These institutions have a moral and social responsibility to stand with international law and human rights, not with those who violate them.”
Sinelnikov said that no resources were offered by the universities or used by SSI. Only a Calgary event was on a campus, while the TMU was off campus, and the University of Guelph event was online.
McPherson said that it was “unclear whether the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) has conducted interviews with any of the individual IDF soldiers currently touring Canadian universities. The Government of Canada must immediately address these concerns. This is not only a matter of international law or domestic law; it is also a matter of public safety.”
At least one of the soldiers had returned to Israel by Tuesday. Sinelnikov responded that Canada was a free country and that SSI would “keep bringing IDF soldiers there, and for her campaign – we are happy to send speakers from Hamas to her office.”
'Every student deserves to feel safe'
Yahoo News reported in October that McPherson was one of the frontrunners of the NDP leadership race. Conservative deputy leader Melissa Lantsman said on X/Twitter on Friday that the Wednesday incident was an example of the antisemitism that had afflicted the country.
“Those who deny Jews are under attack are giving license to hatred itself,” said Lantsman. The lawless mob wins when you let them.”
The UJA Federation of Greater Toronto said on Thursday that it was deeply alarmed by the incident, which was part of a trend of “harassment and intimidation of Jewish students.”
“Every student deserves to feel safe. Yet Jewish students are being targeted simply for expressing their identity or supporting Israel’s right to exist. Violence like this cannot be minimized or ignored,” said the federation.
The Toronto Police Service said that it had arrested and charged five people for forcible entry and that one of the suspects assaulted an officer in an attempt to prevent an arrest.
Oakville resident Nicole Baiton, Toronto resident Kiana Alexis, and Toronto resident Fatimah Mugni were charged with forcible entry and unlawful assembly. The 25-year-old Baiton and 22-year-old Alexis were also charged alongside Toronto resident Manal Kamran for obstruction of an officer. Toronto resident Chelsea Wu was charged for assaulting and obstructing an officer.