PLUS: York encampment dismantled, student workshops in Vancouver, AVI granted intervener status in the injunction at U of T, and more!
Click on the above graphic to read Judah's piece
Allied Voices for Israel (AVI) is proud of our AVI/HRC Campus Media Fellow Judah Eisen for penning a very compelling piece in the Jerusalem Post this week. Judah, a student at Western University, outlines the radically divisive campus protests that have done more to create increased hatred and animosity on campus.
“Protests [on campus] have taken one of two forms: peaceful, passionate, and vibrant, or violent and aggressive filled with shouting and hate. This is the key difference between the pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel protests,” writes Judah.
“It is clear that what we are seeing now is not so different from how the Holocaust started: a radical idea, an angry protest, and a supporting group that is large and furious enough to make a difference. These waves of violent and angry protests calling for the destruction of Israel must not be taken lightly. Before you know it, the whole world can be affected by this radical idea, leaving Jews with no hope for survival.”
To read Judah's article in its entirety, please click here.
AVI Ambassador Ben Morrison, a student at UBC, with Executive Director Daniel Koren in Vancouver
AVI had the most amazing and productive visit to Vancouver last week! Here's a quick recap:
Hosted three student-facing workshops in partnership with the Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver, Hillel BC, the Rabbinical Council of Vancouver, NCSY Vancouver, and Vancouver Hebrew Academy
Met with our incredible BC-based AVI Student Ambassadors and gifted them some swag (including Emmanuel Acho and Noa Tishby's new book, Uncomfortable Conversations with a Jew)
Posted our “Peace and Prosperity” stickers all over town
Visited the UBC encampments with Executive Director of JNF Vancouver Michael Sachs
Click here to watch a recap of our trip to beautiful Vancouver. It was very gratifying to see the impact we are making from coast to coast!
We have an exciting update: AVI has officially been approved for Intervener Status in the injunction to remove the antisemitic encampment at the University of Toronto!
With this development, we will share why the anti-Canadian encampment that has plagued King's College Circle at U of T since earlier this month is detrimental to establishing dialogue and coexistence on campus.
We will continue to fight for the voices of Jewish students and their allies to be heard, and to ensure their safety at U of T!
Executive Director Daniel Koren met with fellow Jewish organizations and campus groups seeking intervenor status on Monday
AVI was proud to participate in Monday's joint press conference with fellow Jewish organizations and campus groups that received intervenor status in the injunction case brought by U of T, to authorize the removal of the encampment at King’s College Circle.
Click on the image above to read our full statement on the York University encampment
On Thursday morning, York University served a trespass notice to protestors who erected an unauthorized encampment on campus.
The school reached out to request police assistance after making it clear that encampments on their property are not permitted. The encampment was removed within 24 hours of being erected.
Approximately 40 protestors at the encampment left as directed. One person returned and was arrested under the Trespass to Property Act.
“We commend York U for acting quickly in ensuring the safety of all of its students,” said AVI Executive Director Daniel Koren. “We urgently call on schools like the University of Toronto to follow suit and immediately dismantle their unlawful encampment. All schools should be this swift in prioritizing the safety of their student body. Kol Hakavod, York!”
Click the above image to watch a quick recap of our Nova Festival Tribute!
This past Saturday night was an evening of community, dance, love, and resilience.
Our Nova Festival Tribute Party in collaboration with Jewish Music Week and Tribe Attack was a way to commemorate The Nova Festival on Oct. 7th in Israel, where so many just came to dance and celebrate life. We would like to thank the hundreds of students and music enthusiasts who came to join us as a collective. #WeWillDanceAgain.
(Left to right): Director of Operations & Events Lea Bloom, Israeli MK Sharren Haskel, and Executive Director Daniel Koren
AVI Founder and Executive Director Daniel Koren and Director of Operations and Events Lea Bloom participated in a special briefing on “Insights from the Political Frontlines: A Female Lens on the Israel-Hamas War” featuring Israeli-Canadian MK Sharren Haskel at the Consulate General of Israel in Toronto & Western Canada.
MP Haskel delivered a sobering overview of the facts on the ground post-October 7th, and what we can do as advocates in Canada.
Belgian actress Lubna Azabal is this week's #AllySpotlight
This week, we are spotlighting Belgian actress Lubna Azabal.
Lubna, who is of Spanish and Moroccan decent, was a juror presiding over the Short Film category at this year's Cannes Film Festival.
While on stage in Cannes, Lubna bravely asked for the immediate and unconditional release of all the Israeli hostages kidnapped by Hamas on Oct. 7th.
Lubna is known for playing in films which show the complexity and nuanced nature of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
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