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Demonstrators behind a months-long encampment at the University of Windsor earlier this year are criticizing an effort to pause deals struck with pro-Palestinian groups.
Organizers and supporters of the former campus Liberation Zone called a board member’s ‘notice of motion’ to cease the deals struck in July more than a “procedural misstep.” The board’s chair told the Star last week that the proposed motion had been rejected for legal reasons before even getting to the board.
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“It is a disheartening attempt to silence the voices of students who have courageously advocated for justice and equality,” Ghallia Hashem, president of the University of Windsor Students’ Alliance, told reporters Monday.
“We urge all members of the board of governors and the broader university community to recognize the importance of upholding these agreements.
“It is crucial that we continue to move forward, not backwards, in our efforts to create a campus environment that is inclusive and supportive for its students.”
Board member Daniel Ableser issued a notice of motion to cease deals that school administration struck with protesters, and to direct administration to report back with recommendations to address “challenges” caused by the agreements. The motion would have been discussed at a meeting this week, had it not been disallowed.
Board chair Helga Reidel told the Star she sent an email to Ableser “advising that based on legal advice, which tells me that the motions are outside the purview of the board, they will not be on the agenda for the Tuesday meeting.”
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“A comprehensive legal review has determined that the subject matter of your motion is outside the Board of Governors’ authority,” Reidel said in an email to board members about Ableser’s initiative.
She would not elaborate on the legal review. She told the Star the legal opinion would be discussed at the board’s Oct. 22 meeting, though it would be in-camera.
Ableser’s motion was to pause the wide-reaching deals the university signed in July. University president Robert Gordon signed separate but similar deals with the University of Windsor Students’ Alliance and a protest group called Windsor Divest that set up an encampment on campus.
The deals include UWindsor’s recognition of “the illegal Israeli settlement,” and a promise not to pursue academic agreements with Israeli universities unless supported by the university senate. The school also pledged to make more “responsible investing” in recognition that Israel is an “occupying power.”
The demonstrators said the school had appointed a Palestinian student advisor and a Jewish student advisor as a result of the deals.
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Hashem said she has “full faith in the University of Windsor to uphold its agreements with its students,” adding, “I believe that we are all operating in good faith and are trying to do the best for our student body.”
Ablester previously told the Star he introduced the motion over concerns that “fallout” from the deals has “caused harm” to students, the university’s reputation, and the community at large. That fallout included condemnation from Jewish and human rights groups.
A number of large donors withdrew financial support to the university, including business magnate Barry Zekelman pulling a million-dollar gift.
The pro-Palestinian group on Monday rejected the notion that the deal caused any harm.
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Hamas, the Palestinian political and militant group governing Gaza, attacked Israel on Oct. 7, killing 1,139 people and taking 252 hostages. Canada considers Hamas a terrorist organization.
More than 41,000 Palestinians have been killed since Israel responded with a military invasion, according to Gaza health authorities.
— with files from Trevor Wilhelm
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