Canadian universities have seen a surge of pro-Palestinian protests this spring, following similar demonstrations across North America. Students have built encampments on campuses to draw attention to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, which has worsened since an Israeli military offensive in the wake of a Hamas-led attack on Oct. 7. The demonstrators are calling on their universities to divest from companies with ties to Israel.
The protests have been met with varying responses from university administrators who are attempting to strike a balance between freedom of expression and ensuring the safety of their campus communities. At the same time, many Jewish students and faculty have expressed that they feel intimidated on campus.
Scroll through the timelines below for up-to-date information on the protests and how universities have responded at several campuses across the country.
More from Features
-
Reaffirming the role of universities
Lessons from the U.S.
-
Are universities ready for cyberattacks?
Canadian universities stand in the crosshairs of cybercriminals: Q&A with Benoît Dupont, Canada Research Chair in Cyber-resilience.
-
Going hungry on campus
Quebec universities are launching food assistance initiatives to support students amid a housing crisis and rising inflation. But is it enough?
-
Quebec universities weather an unprecedented storm
The province’s institutes of higher learning are navigating immigration restrictions, language policies, budget cuts and challenges to academic freedom.
More from Israel-Hamas conflict
-
University professors urge Ottawa to end delay in issuing study permits to Palestinians
Accepted by Canadian universities, some 130 students remain stuck in Gaza and Egypt, awaiting government paperwork.
-
Gazan students stuck in limbo
Despite acceptance by Canadian universities, Palestinians face roadblocks in coming to this country
-
Taking stock: Multiple perspectives on pro-Palestinian protests
Activists and administrations from Halifax to Nanaimo review policies after this spring’s pro-Palestinian encampments.
-
Antisemitism in Canada since the 7 October 2023 pogrom
Surveying attitudes before and after, amidst sharp rise in hate crimes
More from Feature articles
-
Time To Disagree?
The Heterodox Academy wants to encourage uncomfortable debates on campus.
-
Science interrupted
How the Trump administration’s cuts to U.S. science are derailing Canadian research.
-
Meeting the moment together
Universities Canada’s new chair of the board of directors Joy Johnson on the path forward for higher education.
-
Fostering inclusion on a multi-cultural campus
With an increasingly diverse student body, Canadian universities seek to make students feel at home.
Post a comment
University Affairs moderates all comments according to the following guidelines. If approved, comments generally appear within one business day. We may republish particularly insightful remarks in our print edition or elsewhere.
1 Comments
Thanks for sharing this snapshot of the pro-Palestinian protest across some university campuses. The videos are quite insightful. it would be interesting to see if there have been any notable protests on these same campuses (or others) in support of Israel. I question the “almost” deafening silence regarding the attack on Israel. I abhor the violence that has led to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza at this time and I believe that there should be as great an outcry about what precipitated this situation, as well as what continues to happen to the people across both territories. I also contend that “freedom” for one group cannot be at the expense of all other groups.