University of Toronto union ordered to stop promoting BDS (Anti-Semitic) movement

The University of Toronto Graduate Students’ Union (UTGSU) has ordered by a university panel to immediately cease using student fees to promote the BDS movement.

The complaint was brought to the university's attention by graduate student Chaim Katz, supported by B’nai Brith Canada. B’nai Brith reports that Katz was engaged in five years of activism against the union's policy and allegations of antisemitism on campus.

This follows the 2016 ruling by the Judicial Board of the Students’ Society of McGill University, which ruled that BDS was "discriminatory and that the student union could not legally endorse it." However, this is the first time a union has been ordered not to promote the organization.

“This is a massive victory for Jewish students at the University of Toronto and across Canada,” said Michael Mostyn, Chief Executive Officer of B’nai Brith Canada. “B’nai Brith will continue its fight against antisemitism at U of T in all of its forms, until Jewish students and faculty are safe from every form of discrimination.”

“Today is the day that I hoped would come for more than five years,” said Chaim Katz, the student behind the complaint. “I thank B’nai Brith for its constant and unwavering support. The students and community members I have had the privilege to work with were instrumental in reaching this day. I expect the University to implement this ruling without delay.”