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Toronto (September 25, 2024) – Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center (FSWC) commends the Ontario government for launching an investigation into last week’s Toronto District School Board (TDSB) field trip that resulted in students participating in an anti-Israel protest in downtown Toronto.

Yesterday, following an outcry from parents of students, public officials and members of the Jewish community, Ontario Minister of Education Jill Dunlop announced that her Ministry would be pursuing an investigation into the incident, which saw students from several TDSB schools who were attending the Grassy Narrows River Run end up in a rally featuring anti-Israel chants. It’s the latest in a series of controversies in recent years at the TDSB which has long been plagued by problems related to antisemitism and a group of activist teachers pushing their political agenda, without consequence.

“It is clear that the TDSB has failed to take swift and decisive action on this matter,” said Minister Dunlop. “As such, I have asked my ministry to initiate an investigation into the events that took place at the TDSB last week. Those responsible should be held accountable.”

The TDSB followed with a statement, saying it “will be cooperating fully with the investigation” and that “if the investigation concludes that TDSB policies, procedures or professional standards were not followed, we will take action, including disciplinary action, to ensure accountability.”

“We appreciate the leadership of Premier Doug Ford and Minister of Education Jill Dunlop and the Ontario government for taking decisive action in initiating an investigation into this extremely serious matter, which undermines people’s confidence in Toronto’s public school system,” said FSWC President and CEO Michael Levitt. “Not only did TDSB staff fail their students, who should be learning – not participating in protests – but they also violated the trust of parents. This incident was utterly unacceptable, and those responsible must be held accountable.”

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