December 6, 2014

An Open Letter to Concordia Students about their Student Union

Dear Concordia Students,

My name is Abigail Hirsch, and I served as a dedicated volunteer at Community University Television (CUTV) for two years under its previous management. I am writing to express my concerns about the current state of CUTV and its potential impact on our student community.

As you may know, CUTV is funded by your student association fees, which are included in your Concordia tuition. It is crucial that this organization, which represents the entire student body, adheres to principles of fairness and honesty while avoiding divisive or discriminatory practices.

Unfortunately, I have observed a troubling shift in CUTV’s approach since September 2010, coinciding with the appointment of Laith Marouf as the new programming manager. I want to bring a few critical issues to your attention.

• When I signed up to volunteer, Laith Marouf banned me from CUTV’s learning lab due to my pro-Israel posts.
• When I sought assistance from Concordia’s administration and the ombudsman, I discovered that the Concordia Student Union operates as a legal workers’ union under Quebec union law. This status places it outside the authority of Concordia’s academic administration, allowing the Student Union to operate independently and manage a substantial budget funded by student fees.

During my research into CUTV and Laith Marouf, I uncovered the following:

1. Unethical Reporting: Marouf has a history of dishonest reporting. For example, he was found guilty of misconduct by McGill’s radio station, The Olive Tree, for making baseless claims about Israel’s involvement in the Abu Ghraib scandal. His subsequent retraction lacked sincerity and accountability.
2. Controversial Content: Under Marouf’s leadership, CUTV published a news piece labelling Elie Wiesel—a Holocaust survivor, writer, and Nobel Prize laureate—as a “war crimes apologist.” Such content is not only inflammatory but also deeply disrespectful.

Now is the time for all of us to reflect on the future of news reporting at Concordia. Do you support biased and malicious reporting? Is Laith Marouf the right person to lead media at our university? Does CUTV deserve your financial support?

Sincerely,
Abigail Hirsch
Former Volunteer at CUTV
Concordia Student

Updated Post-October 7, 2024

Summary of Recent Developments

Regrettably, Laith Marouf and the student councils continue to function without consequence despite their bias and defamatory statements about Israel. Marouf’s blatant antisemitism only came to public attention in July 2023 when it was revealed that the Canadian government had awarded him a grant of CAD 122,000 under the guise of “antiracism.” For details on the government’s efforts to retract this grant, you can find the CBC’s review here.

Context Leading to the Current Situation

Since 2011, I have closely monitored instances of antisemitism on Montreal campuses and globally, mainly linked to “BDS,” “Israel apartheid,” and the claim that “Zionism is racism.” These narratives originated from a UN resolution that first appeared in 1975, was retracted in 1991, and reintroduced and accepted in 2001 at the UN World Conference against Racial Discrimination in Durban, South Africa.

Investigative journalists and academics have frequently raised concerns regarding the influence of foreign entities in sponsoring Palestinian students who are involved in university student unions. It is evident that these “student unions” have served as a platform for misleading propaganda about Israel and have been allowed to operate on campuses even though the leaders of these organizations often suppress freedom of expression at their events. This situation calls for responsible and immediate action.

In the wake of the October 7 attack by Hamas on Israel, there has been renewed discussion in U.S. congressional hearings regarding the role of student unions at universities. These unions have increasingly served as platforms for promoting the Palestinian cause. Unfortunately, the Hamas attack has further strengthened their resolve, resulting in violent protests in support of this cause. A recent incident at Concordia University highlighted this issue, where police and ambulances were called after pro-Palestinian students attacked pro-Israel students who were peacefully distributing pamphlets in the lobby of the Hall building.

At McGill, an ongoing contested vote within the Student Union proposing the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) of Israel is another indication of the power these student unions feel they can continue to wield.

Any discussions that lead to attacks on students cannot be permitted on any campus or, indeed, anywhere in Canada. When any group is threatened in this way, it affects the safety of all groups. It effectively erodes Canadian values of tolerance and freedom of expression for all.

It is crucial to approach these matters with sensitivity and respect for diverse perspectives, acknowledging their impact on university communities.

It would be a public service for the CBC and all media to address this issue with the clarity and integrity it deserves.