TORONTO (CUP)-Two warring student groups have been suspended at York University for a pair of illegal demonstrations inside the school. A theatrical performance at York University by the Solidarity for Palestinian Human Rights was rivalled last Tuesday by a vigil organized by the campus’ Hillel organization and a group called the Young Zionist Partnership.
Some Hillel members wore shirts that read, “If I was a suicide bomber, you’d be dead by now,” sparking heated debate that quickly turned into a quarrel.
The vigil by the Zionist group and Hillel, the school’s most recognizable Jewish group, was said to be for those who have died from terrorist attacks.
SPHR’s theatrical performance was planned to mark the one-year anniversary of the death of Rachel Corrie, a volunteer from the International Solidarity Movement, who died on March 16, 2003 after being crushed by a bulldozer in Gaza.
Hillel’s vigil took place outside Vari Hall, one of York’s central buildings. While the event started peacefully, it didn’t finish that way.
According to members of SPHR, their demonstration was scheduled to start at noon. But the group decided to stall their plans to allow Hillel’s members time to finish their vigil to avoid conflict.
“We purposely waited for [Hillel and YZP] to do their thing so we wouldn’t have to clash,” said SPHR member Liisa Schofield.
However, at approximately 12:40 p.m., a row quickly erupted when Hillel and YZP members mobilized to confront the SPHR segment just inside Vari Hall.
SPHR’s demonstration consisted of a theatrical performance put on by participants dressed up as Israeli soldiers, some of whom had their hands clasped together in the representation of a gun. Other participants were dressed up as Palestinian civilians and acted out their interpretation of what occurs at Israeli checkpoints.
Jordie Saperia, Hillel president, said he felt the group of 200-plus Hillel and YZP advocates had two choices-do nothing, or “fight the evil lies.”
“[The SPHR members] were trying to demonize us,” explained Saperia. “When people are trying to spin it in a way to make our side evil, we have to come out and explain and refute this lie and we are doing so by providing context to explain why Israel uses certain security measures such as checkpoints.”
Others said they failed to see the educational benefit.
“I just think, honestly, all of this is ridiculous,” said Randy Orenstein, a councillor for the York Federation of Students. “This is just pointless, it isn’t educational. This is showmanship, and I think it is for the benefit of those involved more than anything else.”
Some members of the Jewish community felt disgusted by the way Hillel and YZP carried out their message.
“Frankly, I think those T-shirts are intimidating and they upset me more than any protest,” said Annie Gilbert, a fourth-year religious studies major.
Saperia maintains the shirts were meant to create awareness of current issues surrounding terror attacks like the recent bombings in Madrid.
“On behalf of Hillel I offer no apologies [for the T-shirts],” he said. “We’re creating an awareness about the nature of suicide bombers.”
Gilbert said these tactics do not promote peace or dialogue on campus.
“This is not a Jewish thing,” she said. “This is a political propaganda program put on by Hillel and this is the message that Hillel is constantly sending … to the Jewish students on campus, that this is okay, that this ‘let’s fight fire with fire’ attitude is okay.”
According to SPHR members, their skit was cut short due to the unexpected arrival of Hillel and YZP members.
“They came as a surprise,” said Sara Nicos, co-president of SPHR. “I don’t know how they found out about our event.”
Nicos described the clash as “violent, aggressive and hateful.”
Hillel vice-president Seth Winberg said violence was not the intention of his group.
“While things may have been loud, no one from Hillel was interested in violence,” he said.
Both groups broke out into simultaneous chants, with those supporting the Israeli checkpoints screaming, “Checkpoints save lives.” Students against the checkpoints yelled, “West Bank Gaza under attack. What do we do, stand up, fight back.”
As the chants grew louder, the opposing forces screamed in each other’s faces and waved signs. The confrontation lasted for almost an hour before administration asked the groups to disperse.
“It’s a university, we do provide that kind of forum and opportunity,” said Nancy White, a university spokesperson. “People who are participating in this have strongly held views on an issue and we do want to encourage them to participate and take part in democratic activities. I think we achieved that.”
Dan Freeman-Maloy, a member of SPHR who was very vocal at the event, also criticized the administration.
“People here in solidarity activism have had their faith in the administration shattered,” he said.
