Letter to University Presidents regarding Israel Apartheid Week

Via email

Presidents
University of Toronto
University of Ottawa
Carleton University
York University

 

Dear University Presidents:

On behalf of the 56,000 members of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers, I am writing to express my anger and disappointment at the actions of your University administrations in regard to Israel Apartheid week. 

By barring activities and posters, your universities are limiting fundamental rights of free speech and democratic expression.

The situation in Israel and Palestine needs to be discussed and debated.

Israel’s occupation of the West Bank and Gaza has been condemned by numerous United Nations resolutions.  The international community, through the United Nations, has developed a framework for a just peace in Israel and Palestine.  The first step in achieving a real and just peace is that Israel must end the occupation of the West Bank and Gaza.

Israel apartheid week was sparked by Israel’s building of the so-called “Separation Wall”.  John Duggard, the UN’s Special Rapporteur, has characterized the wall as a form of creeping annexation.

As a result, CUPW is urging you to do the following:

1. Immediately lift bans on the Israeli Apartheid Week posters.

2. Immediately lift bans on Israeli Apartheid Week activities.

3. Immediately cease intimidating students who are sponsoring, promoting or endorsing Israeli Apartheid week activities.

This is an important issue for the Canadian Union of Postal Workers as it centers the broader fight for freedom of expression.

Yours truly,

Denis Lemelin
National President

 

cc:

Toronto and Central Regional Offices
Students Against Apartheid
Independent Jewish Voices