A Jewish professor in Toronto defended himself against allegations of anti-Semitism in an episode tinged with irony.
Cameron Johnston, who has been teaching at York University for more than 30 years, was the focus of controversy following a Sept. 12 lecture on critical thinking and whether one is entitled to one’s opinions, even if they are extreme.
“All Jews should be sterilized” is an example of such an extreme opinion, Johnston told the 500 students.
One of them, 22-year-old Sarah Grunfeld, stormed out of the class. She contacted Hasbara at York, an on-campus Israel advocacy group, which sent a news release to media and other Jewish community groups calling for Johnston’s firing.
Johnston claims he was misunderstood.
“I pointed out that everyone is not entitled to their opinion by giving the example of someone having an anti-Semitic opinion which is clearly not acceptable,” he wrote in a statement.
Grunfeld told the Toronto Star that doesn’t matter.
“The words ‘Jews should be sterilized’ still came out of his mouth, so regardless of the context, I still think that’s pretty serious,” she said.
B’nai B’rith Canada has called for “sensitivity training” for the entire faculty. — jta