Jewish Students Told Their ‘Vibes’ Are Not Welcome at York U Multicultural Parade

Student Wearing "Anti-Zionist Vibes Only" Shirt

Jewish Students Told Their ‘Vibes’ Are Not Welcome at York U Multicultural Parade

Toronto (January 28, 2020) – Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center (FSWC) is outraged by another display of blatant antisemitism at York University yesterday, after the student union’s multicultural parade was officially opened by a student wearing a shirt that said “anti-Zionist vibes only.” 

The parade’s rebuke of Jewish students and the Jewish movement for self-determination was particularly disturbing given that it fell on International Holocaust Remembrance Day. 

“It is almost beyond belief that York’s student union would think it is appropriate for its representative to wear clothing bearing an antisemitic slogan at an event to celebrate multiculturalism,” said Avi Benlolo, President and CEO of FSWC. 

“It is well past time that the York Administration steps up and takes a firm and determined stand against the antisemitism flourishing on its campus.”

AND THEN THERE'S THIS:

Algermeiner Headline: Student Wearing ‘Antisemitic’ T-Shirt Opens Multicultural Week at Canada’s York University

The student who conducted the opening ceremony for the York Federation of Students event wore a shirt emblazoned with the phrase, “Anti-Zionist vibes only.” 

The York University Hillel said in a Facebook post, “This is just another example of the combative and discriminatory environment the YFS has created for Jewish and Zionist students, especially in the last few months.” 

“This is not a valid critique of Israeli policies or actions,” the organization stated. “It is a rebuke of the national movement for Jewish self-determination which, in effect, is antisemitic.” 

The York Hillel condemned the “antisemitic act” and noted that it was especially disturbing as it took place on International Holocaust Remembrance Day. It demanded an apology from the Federation of Students.