Reported bomb threat against York University’s Jewish students

A bomb threat on Wednesday against the Jewish community at York University’s Glendon College Campus follows a spike in anti-Semitic incidents.

Buildings at York University’s Glendon College Campus were evacuated on Wednesday after a bomb threat was made against the Jewish community.

“Every time we get a call of a bomb threat, we treat it as the highest priority, which is why the building has been evacuated on a few occasions, including on Wednesday,” explained Toronto’s Police Constable Victor Kwong to B’nai Brith Canada, an organization that seeks to counter anti-Semitism.

“There have been seven incidents at Glendon altogether since March 8,” he added, specifying that “not all of them have targeted Jewish people.”

“There have been scribbles and graffiti in bathrooms against blacks and Muslims, too,” he noted.“We think one person is responsible for this and he is desperately attempting to get attention.”

Glendon’s principal Donald Ipperciel condemned the incidents in a statement: “We are deeply concerned and saddened by these acts which we condemn unequivocally. He added,  “Anti-Semitism, racism and other forms of hate or attack on members of our community have no place on our campus.”

Ipperciel said the university was taking measures to address the recent anti-Semitic activity.

“While we can’t always comment publicly on the actions taken by our staff to address these incidents, we have been meeting with student groups and are working closely with York’s Community Safety personnel,” he said. “We would like to reassure faculty, students and staff that we take their safety seriously and that the campus remains a safe working and learning environment.”

However, B’nai Brith Canada’s CEO, Michael Mostyn suggested these incidents are encouraged by a failure to address red flags.

“This is merely the latest in a pattern of outrageous attacks against Jewish students on Canadian campuses,” said Mostyn.

“Just two weeks ago, York and other universities played host to an annual series of events aimed at demonizing the world’s only Jewish State,” he added.“So how can we be surprised when threats against the Jewish community follow so shortly afterward?”

By: Jonathan Benedek, World Israel News

anti-SemitismB'nai Brith CanadaBomb threatYork University