A clash between pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian student groups at Concordia University led to one arrest

Screenshot from a video showing a confrontation between pro-Palestinian and Jewish students at Concordia University, Nov. 8, 2023

One student was arrested and three people were slightly injured after pro-Palestinian students confronted Jewish students at Montreal’s Concordia University in a tense altercation on Nov. 8.

A 22-year-old student who assaulted a 54-year-old security guard was arrested, and another security guard and student sustained minor injuries as well, Montreal Police (SPVM) said.

Federation CJA said a group of Jewish students set up a kiosk at the university to raise awareness about the hostages being held in Gaza and were approached by a group who harassed them and used racial slurs such as ‘k-ke’ to intimidate them.

https://twitter.com/MehdiBetata/status/1722457993453752733

The altercation resulted in students being shoved and Israeli flags being torn down. Hillel Concordia described the incident as “aggressive” and said that “antisemitic sentiment was prevalent.”

A Jewish student who was there, but did not want their name used, told The CJN that a student was pulled onto a table by his legs and got hit in the head which resulted in his glasses getting broken.

The student said that security was not helpful during the incident.

“If this was done to another minority group, it would be a scandal,” the student said. “But whatever was done to the Jews was turned against them.”

The dispute lasted three hours, according to SPVM.

Graham Carr, president and vice-chancellor of Concordia said that swastikas were also discovered on campus. “The university unreservedly condemns these deplorable acts and will make every effort to identify and bring those responsible to account for their behavior,” he said. “I believe that the overwhelming majority of our community shares my complete abhorrence of these incidents and is appalled by them.”

The arrests followed a disturbing series of incidents in Montreal.

Two Molotov cocktails were thrown at a Montreal-area synagogue and Jewish Federation building on Nov. 7.  No one was injured and there was little property damage.

Quebec’s Minister for Higher Education Pascale Déry denounced the event, saying on social media, “The situation is worrying. We must be able to demonstrate peacefully and debate calmly. Intimidation, violence and incitement to hatred have no place.”

Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante also posted a statement on X addressing both hateful incidents this week, saying “Acts of violence such as those that affected Concordia students today and the attack on a synagogue are unacceptable. These hateful acts have absolutely no place in Montreal: a city of peace, security and kindness.”

Montreal police will investigate the incidents, she said, and “will not skimp on the means to maintain the security of our metropolis.”

Author

Support Our Mission: Make a Difference!

The Canadian Jewish News is now a Registered Journalism Organization (RJO) as defined by the Canada Revenue Agency. To help support the valuable work we’re doing, we’re asking for individual monthly donations of at least $10. In exchange, you’ll receive tax receipts, a thank-you gift of our quarterly magazine delivered to your door, and our gratitude for helping continue our mission. If you have any questions about the donating process, please write to [email protected].

Support the Media that Speaks to You

Jewish Canadians deserve more than social media rumours, adversarial action alerts, and reporting with biases that are often undisclosed. The Canadian Jewish News proudly offers independent national coverage on issues that impact our audience each day, as a conduit for conversations that bridge generations. 

It’s an outlet you can count on—but we’re also counting on you.

Please support Jewish journalism that’s creative, innovative, and dedicated to breaking new ground to serve your community, while building on media traditions of the past 65 years. As a Registered Journalism Organization, contributions of any size are eligible for a charitable tax receipt.