FRIENDS OF SIMON WIESENTHAL CENTER COMMENDS
UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO FACULTY FOR TAKING A STAND AGAINST
ISRAELI APARTHEID WEEK

 
TORONTO­
In an advertisement published in today’s National Post newspaper, 125 members of the University of Toronto faculty voiced their opposition to the University’s continued support of Israeli Apartheid Week.  Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center for Holocaust Studies (FSWC) commends these faculty members for denouncing this blatantly antisemitic event.
 
The advertisement states, “We, the undersigned faculty members of the University of Toronto, oppose the hosting of the Israel Apartheid Week at our Institution, and request that the administration stop this hateful and divisive event from returning to our University in future years.” The advertisement then lists the name, title and department of each of the 125 faculty members.
 
“We applaud these courageous University of Toronto faculty for taking a bold stand against this annual hate fest,” said Avi Benlolo, President and CEO of FSWC. “By publicly challenging the University’s decision to host Israeli Apartheid Week, they have clearly demonstrated that freedom of speech trumps intimidation. Our hope is that faculty at other universities across Canada and around the world follow in their footsteps and present a united front in opposing the hatred being fueled against Israel and the Jewish community.”

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ABOUT THE FRIENDS OF SIMON WIESENTHAL CENTER FOR HOLOCAUST STUDIES Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center for Holocaust Studies is a Canadian human rights organization dedicated to fostering tolerance and understanding through community involvement, educational outreach and social action. With over 25,000 members of all faiths around the world, the Simon Wiesenthal Center confronts important contemporary issues including racism, anti-Semitism, terrorism and genocide. Friends is affiliated with the world-wide, Los Angeles-based Simon Wiesenthal Center, an accredited Non-Government Organization with status at international agencies, including the United Nations, UNESCO, OSCE and the Council of Europe, with offices in New York, Miami, Paris, Jerusalem, Buenos Aires, and Toronto.  Simon Wiesenthal died in 2005 after devoting his life to preserving the memories of Holocaust victims, while simultaneously seeking justice for the war criminals.

Note to Editors:  The media contact listed can facilitate interviews with an FSWC spokesperson or a representative for this group of University of Toronto faculty.   Media Contact:  Jodi Echakowitz T: 905-709-9600 C: 416-271-7250 jodi@echo-communications.com