Scuffle at Concordia Quebec calls for vigilance Middle East

Scuffle at Concordia: Quebec calls for vigilance | Middle East, the eternal conflict –

The images of a conflict that erupted between pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel students at Concordia University on Wednesday left no one indifferent in Quebec. Regardless of whether it is the government or the opposition, all elected officials questioned on the issue called for calm as they arrived in the Blue Room on Thursday morning.

The minister responsible for the fight against racism, Christopher Skeete, particularly called for the resumption of a constructive dialogue between students of all faiths, while his colleague Pascale Déry from the university described the images as worrying.

“We will not tolerate hate and will closely monitor the situation,” she promised, adding that she had communicated with the rector of the University of Montreal after videos were broadcast on social networks showing students aggressively discussing the war between Israel and Hamas argue.

The Montreal City Police Service (SPVM) will keep an eye on the situation, assured Public Security Minister François Bonnardel.

Just as Christopher Skeete had done before in the program Tout un matin, Mr. Bonnardel reminded at ICI Première that students, like everyone else, had the right to demonstrate and express their opinions. However, everything must be done in the right order, he reminded.

To express their concern, ministers Déry and Bonnardel even sent a letter on Thursday to universities and CEGEPs in Quebec urging them to be extremely vigilant.

“Given the conflict currently raging in the Middle East, the consequences of which are being felt in Quebec as well as elsewhere in the world, we ask for your cooperation to maintain calm on campuses,” they write.

Our institutions are places of exchange, debate and discussion, constructive and respectful, the ministers continued, and it is imperative that they remain that way. We will not tolerate any form of intimidation, violence or incitement to hatred, they warn.

To ensure and ensure the safety of everyone, we ask you to be extremely vigilant and report in real time to the relevant authorities in your area any manifestations or behavior that does not comply with the standards established on your campus.

In a message to members of the university community, Concordia Rector Graham Carr also condemned the clashes that occurred on campus Wednesday.

According to him, two security guards and a student were injured in a clash; Swastikas were found on a university building. and a group of students’ social media post could reasonably be interpreted as an incitement to violence.

Mr Carr says he is saddened and outraged by these actions and is ensuring the university is working to identify those responsible.

Scuffle at Concordia Quebec calls for vigilance Middle East0:40

Images of the clashes circulated online on Wednesday.

For its part, the SPVM claims that in connection with Wednesday’s altercation, a 22-year-old woman was arrested at the university and released on the promise of appearing in court. According to spokesman Jean-Pierre Brabant, the injured security guards and the student are doing well.

With information from The Canadian Press