Disgruntled pro-Palestinian camp residents at a meeting with McGill University administration on Monday said they had no intention of ending the week-long occupation, which could escalate.
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“The camp will continue to grow and expand until we have concrete news about investments,” said one of those who called the media.
Several spokespeople, some of whom wished to remain anonymous, took to the microphone Monday afternoon to survey the situation.
An “unofficial” meeting between camp representatives and McGill administration took place on Monday, we’ve learned.
During this discussion, McGill University was unable to “provide a firm timetable.”
Those in the camp are calling for an end to funding for companies with ties to Israel, including supplying weapons to the university.
“It’s ridiculous”
The university camping movement was born in the United States and has spread to many Canadian universities in recent days. By hoping that all of these universities would sever ties with Israel, the Montreal campers hope to move the chessboard in favor of the Gazans.
“What message are they sending us? Scholars? They use our admissions money to fund outside wars while they charge us thousands of dollars to sign up […] This is ridiculous,” said Ari Nahman.
Members of Independent Jewish Voices spoke, including Ari Nahman (right).
Photo by Dominic Scally
As such, the demonstrators say they will remain at the site until clear commitments are received from McGill.
Not anti-Semitism
Also, a student member of Independent Jewish Voices emphasized that criticizing Israel does not equate to anti-Semitism, which is one of the criticisms raised by the McGill administration.
“We refuse to be exploited […] We are living testimony that efforts to divide us will not succeed.
Professor Daniel Schwartz from the Department of Language, Literature and Culture also spoke in support of the camp participants.
Daniel Schwartz, professor at McGill University
Photo by Dominic Scally
“There are still no universities in Gaza. “Education in Palestine is under attack and it is our duty to prevent this,” said the professor.
He estimates there are more than 100 professors in Montreal who support the cause.
For its part, McGill University indicated via email that it wanted to “reach a speedy and peaceful resolution of the situation,” but did not comment on the nature of the ongoing discussions.
– with TVA News
