CAUT report reveals pro-Israel bias and suppression of free speech at York University

In March 2005 the Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT) set up a committee of inquiry to investigate issues respecting free speech and governance at York University.
.

The report of that committee is now available on line (in two parts, click “PDF” buttons in left column).
.

The report concludes “For many faculty members and students the explanation for the contentious events that unfolded on the York campus is found in what they see as decisions by the university’s senior administration to support pro-Israel initiatives and marginalize pro-Palestinian efforts.”
.

The committee concluded also that “on the face of the evidence before us we can only conclude that there were threats to and breaches of the right of free expression and academic freedom at York University.”
.

Has a similar pattern emerged at the University of Ottawa?
.

RELATED LINKS:

Talk Ottawa – January 8, 2009

Rabble-ca Interview

.

[photo: Daniel Freeman-Maloy at an event.]

Israel lobby in action at Canadian universities

.
UIA (United Israel Appeal) Federations - document (PDF)

B’nai Brith - document (PDF)

Hillel (“The Centre for Jewish Campus Life”) - document (PDF)


These three documents (above links), obtained by Professor David Noble of York University through freedom of information requests, illustrate how the Israel lobby in Canada uses its influence to attempt to suppress dissent at Canadian universities. David Noble is Jewish and an outspoken critic of the Israel lobby. The UIA (United Israel Appeal) Federations is the umbrella organization for the Canadian Jewish Congress, the United Jewish Appeal, and Hillel, three zionist organizations which Noble has sued for defamation.

Allan Rock puts “Canada’s university in the service of the world”

On December 10, 2008, U of O physics professor Denis Rancourt was barred from campus, suspended from all responsibilities, escorted off the premises by university police, and told that he would be fired as soon as it could be arranged. .

.

This catalyzed numerous responses and the creation and growth of several new web sites dedicated to tracking the University of Ottawa’s campaign to fire Rancourt:
.

Academic Freedom dot ca

.

Denis Rancourt blogspot

.

Denis Rancourt Wikipedia
.

The news also generated a frenzy of comment posting activity on UofOWatch, illustrating both sides of the debate.
.

A support committee (the Committee for the Defence of Education, CDE) has been set up and is chaired by psychology professor Claude Lamontagne, who can be reached at claude.cde -at- gmail -dot- com.
.

The CAUT announced its Independent Committee of Inquiry (ICOI) in the January 2009 issue of the CAUT Bulletin.