TORONTO (September 18, 2017) - FSWC was pleased to learn that the Board of Directors of the Student Society of McGill University (SSMU) at its meeting yesterday ratified the clear ruling of its Judicial Board rejecting the anti-Israel Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement on campus.  

Following a February 2016 motion passed by the SSMU General Assembly to support BDS, the Judicial Board ruled in May 2016 that "SSMU's commitment against discrimination in favour of creating 'safer spaces' renders motions similar to the BDS Motion, which specifically compel SSMU to adopt a platform against a particular nation, unconstitutional." 

"This decision is a positive step to restoring a welcoming and inclusive environment for Jewish and pro-Israel students who are all too often attacked through the anti-Israel BDS movement," said Avi Benlolo, FSWC President and CEO. "As the Judicial Board noted, the BDS campaign had led to a sharp increase in harassment around campus contrary to its Equity Policy - leading to an oppressive environment that silences respectful dialogue. We look to student leaders and administrators across campuses to continue to push back against the false narrative that targets the democratic state of Israel." 

The anti-democratic BDS campaign continues to make its way off campus as Roger Waters - a leading voice in the BDS movement - is set to perform in Canada next month. Support FSWC and our call to encourage Waters to respect human rights while in this country.

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To arrange aninterview with Avi Benlolo, please contact:

Atara Cadesky 
Communications Associate 
416.864.9735 x 30 
acadesky@fswc.ca

Avital Borisovsky 
Communications Associate   
416.864.9735 x 30
aborisovsky@fswc.ca

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Friendsof Simon Wiesenthal Center for Holocaust Studies (FSWC) is a top Jewish humanrights foundation in Canada's organized Jewish community. It directly impactsover 100,000 people each year and 500,000+ peripherally. FSWC is committedto countering racism and antisemitism and to promoting the principles of tolerance,social justice and Canadian democratic values through advocacy andeducational programs including workshops, Freedom Day, Spirit of HopeBenefit, Tools for Tolerance and the widely acclaimed Tour for Humanity.FSWC is affiliated with the Simon Wiesenthal Center, an international Jewishhuman rights organization headquartered in Los Angeles which has won twoAcademy Awards, has built two Museums of Tolerance (with a third being built inJerusalem) and is an NGO at the United Nations, UNESCO, OAS, OSCE, the Councilof Europe and the Latin American Parliament. Visit us at www.fswc.ca. Canadian Headquarters: Toronto   Branches:Los Angeles • New York • Chicago • Paris • Buenos Aires • Israel