Toronto (December 14, 2017) - After bringing disturbing social media posts attributed to students at McMaster University to its attention, Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center(FSWC) is pleased to learn that the University is taking the concerns veryseriously and has launched a review in order to “determine the appropriateapplication of its policies.”

FSWC informed McMaster University of a report regarding hundredsof shocking posts on social media spanning over a number of years by over 30different students, including comments as recently as this week. Manyof the students identified have been connected in different capacities with thecampus group Solidarity for Palestinian Human Rights (SPHR). One of thestudents involved holds the position of President of SPHR and was the subjectof a prior complaint by FSWC earlier this year. The posts, which includedoutright antisemitism, praised Hitler, equatedZionists with Nazis, supported terrorist groups and demonized Jews whilecalling for violence against them. 

Avi Benlolo, President and CEO of FSWC, has written to Dr.Patrick Deane, President of McMaster University, asking him to directlyintervene while offering the organization’s full support. “Action is absolutelycalled for at this time. McMaster University has committed to fostering acampus climate where every member of the community is free to engage inrespectful and civil discourse and exchange of ideas. Surely, the hate-lacedmessages that have been attributed to these students fall outside thatstandard.  We trust that the investigation into the conduct of thestudents that has been launched will include a review of the alleged role ofcampus groups in fomenting hostility and will lead to decisive disciplinarymeasures as appropriate.”

FSWC has also broughtthese concerns to the attention of the Hamilton Police Hate Crimes Unit, which hasconfirmed that it has launched a review.

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Media Contact:

Avital Borisovsky 
Communications Associate 
416.864.9735 x 29 
aborisovsky@fswc.ca

Follow us on Twitter at@CanadianFSWCfor latest news and organization updates.

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Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center for Holocaust Studies (FSWC) is a top Jewish human rights foundation in Canada's organized Jewish community. It directly impacts over 100,000 people each year and 500,000+peripherally. FSWC is committed to countering racism and antisemitism and to promoting the principles of tolerance, social justice and Canadian democratic values through advocacy and educationalprograms including workshops, Freedom Day, Spirit of Hope Benefit, Tools for Tolerance and the widely acclaimedTour for Humanity. FSWC is affiliated with the Simon Wiesenthal Center, an international Jewish human rights organization headquartered in Los Angeles which has won two Academy Awards, has built two Museums of Tolerance (with a third being built in Jerusalem) and is an NGO at the United Nations, UNESCO, OAS, OSCE, the Council of Europe and the Latin American Parliament. Visit us atwww.fswc.ca.

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