Dr. Ted Rosenberg claims the college college of medication has failed to handle rising antisemitism on campus in the course of the Israel-Hamas conflict
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A longtime professor within the College of B.C.’s college of medication has resigned over what he sees as an insufficient response to antisemitism on campus.
Dr. Ted Rosenberg of Victoria, who has been with UBC for 3 many years, despatched a resignation letter on New Yr’s Day to medical college dean Dr. Dermot Kelleher, efficient Tuesday.
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The three-page correspondence outlines plenty of Rosenberg’s grievances, together with {that a} medical scholar has been circulating a petition that includes anti-Israel and antisemitic statements within the title of supporting Gaza residents in the course of the Israel-Hamas battle.
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He additionally claims an assistant professor within the college has been posting traditionally revisionist, anti-Jewish statements and memes on social media with none repercussions from UBC directors. One put up cited by Rosenberg exhibits a picture of the Christian holy household beneath the rubble in Gaza as it’s bombed by Israel.
“I can not consider a clearer instance of classical Jew-hating antisemitism than this modern-day resurrection of the cost of Deicide,” he wrote. “The accusation of being ‘Christ killers’ was chargeable for the worst violence and oppression in opposition to Jews for millennia.”
The identical professor shared one other hyperlink, mentioned Rosenberg, “to a petition on X (previously Twitter) advocating investigation and exclusion of Jewish adjudicators” from the Canadian resident matching service (CaRMS) over perceived racism.
“These demonizing accusations should not simply directed in opposition to the state of Israel, however by proxy, to all its supporters, together with the overwhelming majority of Jews within the diaspora. We as Jewish college really feel these assaults personally and deeply.”
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Rosenberg goes on to say the college’s personal web site on fairness, range and inclusion (EDI) fails to seek advice from Jews or antisemitism as particular targets of hate.
“Sadly, regardless of stressing the college’s dedication to respect, compassion and inclusion and referring particular person complaints to EDI, you didn’t tackle any of our particular issues re: the medical scholar’s petition, antisemitism throughout the college, or issues that politicization and polarization of the Center East battle are making a poisonous work setting,” learn Rosenberg’s letter.
Spokesperson Kurt Heinrich responded that UBC and its college of medication “have been very clear that antisemitism, or discrimination of any type, is totally unacceptable.
“We’re dedicated to making a secure and respectful setting for all of our neighborhood members and can proceed to take steps to take action,” Heinrich mentioned in an announcement.
He mentioned the college’s discrimination coverage carefully mirrors B.C.’s Human Rights Code, and mentioned Dean Kelleher strengthened his college’s dedication to respect and dialogue in a “sombre” pre-Christmas message.
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However Heinrich additionally agreed there may be work to do.
“In response to issues raised by college and learners, the college of medication can be working expediently to develop academic alternatives for inclusive studying and respectful dialogue throughout the college in areas that immediately replicate our acknowledged values, together with how we tackle points akin to discrimination, harassment and hate speech,” mentioned Heinrich.
Nevertheless, Rosenberg suggests UBC is falling behind federal efforts to acknowledge and reply to hate in opposition to Jews in Canada because it has escalated in the course of the Israel-Hamas conflict.
“The Canadian authorities launched a doc on antisemitism that was up to date in February 2023,” mentioned Rosenberg.
“This doc clearly states that Jewish individuals, along with the Black neighborhood, are the primary goal of hate crimes in Canada. It additionally describes the issue of rising antisemitism and intimidation of Jews on campuses, and that the speed of antisemitic hate crimes observe carefully with escalations of the battle within the Center East.”
Rosenberg pleaded with UBC to take heed to a bunch of 284 “involved Jewish physicians” and to work with them “to constructively, collaboratively, and proactively rectify this case and in the end assist restore respect, compassion, empathy and belief amongst colleagues and college students.”
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