Activists Use Passover To Criticize Israel At Canadian University
Graphic by Angelie Zaslavsky
Palestinian activists at Canada’s Concordia University are facing charges of cultural appropriation after organizing a “Passover Against Apartheid” event that included a discussion about an anti-Zionist revision to the holiday’s traditional “next year in Jerusalem” blessing.
“This is more than Israel bashing. It’s an antisemitic slap in the face to every Jew and I think they crossed the line,” said Harvey Levine, regional director of B’nai Brith’s chapter in Quebec province.
“Come and learn about how Passover can be a time to analyze the oppression in our communities, and practice solidarity with Palestinians in the face of Israel’s apartheid state,” a flier circulated for the event read. It also included discussion questions, including “What blessings can we use to replace ‘Next year in Jerusalem?’”
“Passover Against Apartheid” – put together by the Concordia Student Union, the Fine Arts Student Alliance and Solidarity for Palestinian Human Rights groups – included sponsorship from no Jewish organizations.
The event came to light after Eden Moalem, a pro-Israel advocate and Concordia student, notified the Friends of the Simon Wiesenthal Center, which circulated the story on the Web.
_Contact Daniel J. Solomon at [email protected] or on Twitter @DanielJSolomon–
Did you know that only 2% of Forward readers donate to support our nonprofit newsroom? That 2% make it possible for millions to read the Forward without a paywall or subscription — removing any barriers to the full and fair Jewish story.
But while the Forward is free to read, it isn’t free to produce. Big stories — like deep dives into the antisemitism data, political scoops or reporting trips to college campuses — take months of research and fact-checking. All while we keep you informed of what you need to know each day.
— Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Forward Publisher & CEO
Support our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
