Tensions mounting in Montreal seem to parallel the escalating conflict between Israel and Hamas, and the epicentre of this tension lies in the city’s college and university campuses. The sense of personal safety, as well as concerns over freedom of speech, surfaced as key issues for many students.
This week, a video circulated, sparking controversy and showcasing an altercation between a person and a security guard. The dispute erupted when the guard was witnessed tearing down a poster. The individual behind the video, Michael Wesniak, decided to begin filming when he observed the guard removing posters advocating for Israel around McGill University.
The controversial posters brought to light the plight of Israeli hostages held by Hamas, a fact Wesniak hopes can penetrate the public consciousness. “Presenting both sides of the conflict is of vital importance to me,” he expressed.
A statement from McGill University clarified that the display of posters on their campuses necessitates authorization. “It’s customary to take down posters that haven’t received approval,” revealed McGill spokesperson, Michel Proulx, adding that the university is delving further into the incident involving the security guard.
The incident adds fuel to an already volatile atmosphere on campuses as students contend with rising tensions.
“The Palestinian, Muslim, and Jewish communities are all impacted by the ongoing hostilities,” Aasiyah Khan from the National Council of Canadian Muslims shared, shedding light on the widespread sense of distress coursing through these communities.
Khan reported a significant spike in the number of calls her organization is receiving from Muslim students who are feeling unsafe on campuses throughout Canada. The rate, she revealed, has escalated to hourly.
In response to the hostile environment, some Jewish students are refraining from wearing religious attire in school.
B’nai Brith Manager of Research, Richard Robertson, encourages respect for both pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli perspectives. However, he also warns that students should consider the potential consequences of their words, especially if they inadvertently condone the actions of Hamas in Israel.
The predicament begs the question of the responsibility that universities shoulder in such situations. Political science professor Sarah Ghabrial emphasizes the importance of providing an environment conducive to open, respectful discussions on sensitive global issues in order to prevent the displacement of anger and frustration amongst students.
She advocates for the continued recognition of campuses as essential arenas in society for fostering dissent, debates, and critique, principles which have historically played an instrumental role in academic and social discourse.
