Jewish student seeks over $1 million from TMU for alleged antisemitism

• Published date: 26 April 2024
• Author: JERUSALEM POST STAFF
• Publication title: Jerusalem Post, The: Web Edition Articles (Israel)

The claim, filed in the Ontario Superior Court, was filed by an undergraduate student at the university whom also worked at the institution until January 2024

The lawsuit outlines TMU's alleged actions, and inaction, in response to antisemitism and intimidation, offensive, demeaning, threatening, disruptive, unwelcome, and unwanted conduct toward the Plaintiff and other Jewish students, staff, and faculty at TMU since October 7, 2023.

The plaintiff's legal task force, the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) and the UJA Federation of Greater Toronto (UJA), put forward that actions and inactions by the university led to a toxic, antisemitic learning and working environment.

The lawsuit also detailed the allegations that, in addition to being wrongfully dismissed from the plaintiff from employment by TMU, the University breached its contract with her, breached its duties of care to her, and discriminated against her by failing to apply its own policies and procedures explicitly designed to protect students like her from the antisemitic environment at the institute.

The legal task force alleged the Plaintiff was regularly confronted by antisemitic violence-inciting slogans in use at rallies and protests, and on signs and graffiti throughout TMU and in TMU buildings.

These slogans included chants for an "Intifada" (including "long live the Intifada," "Intifada until victory," and "globalize the Intifada") and "Only one solution, Intifada revolution."

In March 2024, students in TMU buildings reportedly walked around with signs that stated: "Zionism Off Our Campus." The Plaintiff, as well as other Jewish students, staff, and faculty, perceived this as a call for Jews to be removed from campus.

While participating in the "Silent Protest for Peace & Humanity" at TMU on November 3, 2023, the Plaintiff and other participants claimed they were surrounded by a group of students. The students allegedly intimidated, harassed, and interfered with the Plaintiff's ability to protest. One of the accused accosting TMU students allegedly stated "next time on campus you won't be together" – which the legal task force claim is a clear threat to the participants' safety. TMU students reportedly spat on the ground in front the Plaintiff and the group with whom she was protesting. Although present, TMU security took no action to prevent or stop such conduct. TMU security was needed to escort the Plaintiff and other participating students to safety while the harassing TMU...