McMaster University and its student union are facing a $77-million class action lawsuit over alleged incidents of antisemitism on campus.
The lawsuit is being brought forward by a Jewish civil rights organization and law firm Diamond and Diamond.
The announcement Thursday makes McMaster the latest in a series of schools across the country being subjected to lawsuits for a total of more than $300-million.
“McMaster as well as the other universities have displayed years and years of antisemitism on campus. They’ve allowed it to happen and in the wake of October 7th and the terrorist attack by Hamas, there’s been an unprecedented amount of antisemitism on these campuses.” says Sandra Zisckind, a lawyer with Diamond and Diamond.
Zisckind, the managing partner at the law firm, says this $77-million class action lawsuit against McMaster University is just one of many similar suits across the country.
“We have filed against York, UBC, TMU, Concordia…what is happening now is that Diamond and Diamond will be targetting all the universities that fail to uphold their standards and allowing antisemitism to allow on campus.”
The total dollar amount is roughly $300-million, but Zisckind, who is representing “The Lawfare Project”, a Jewish civil rights organization, says it’s not about the money.
“McMaster it’s been issues of referencing Holocaust, genocide, normalizing dialogue that Israel is a genocidal state…and allowing chants like river to the sea.”
A group representing Jewish students on McMaster’s campus and campuses across the province says that Jewish students have been facing rampant antisemitism for years, well before October 7.
“What’s happening on campus is completely unacceptable…Jewish students shouldn’t be subjected to intimidation, harassment, antisemitism that students are facing. University leaders have a responsibility to act.” says Jay Solomon of Hillel Ontario.
The organization says antisemitism on Ontario campuses has worsened since October 7.
“At Hillel Ontario we’ve received over 350 complaints across the province from Jewish students since October 7th. That’s a 3x increase over the same time last year.”
McMaster University officials issued a statement Thursday afternoon saying in part, “While we cannot comment on the specifics of a legal action outside the court process, McMaster is steadfast in its commitment to providing a safe and welcoming environment where our community members feel a sense of belonging.”
