UBC president urges respect, compassion as tensions allegedly rise due to Israel-Hamas war

The president of the University of British Columbia is asking students, staff, and the wider university community to be respectful and compassionate to differing views, as he has been made aware of “campus incidents” related to the Israel-Hamas war.

The letter, sent out Monday, says as the Israel-Hamas war continues to unfold, “the violence, tension and uncertainty is understandably putting significant strain on our community.”

“The human suffering is heart breaking and my thoughts and prayers are with everyone who is grieving and hurting, both overseas and here in Canada,” President and Vice-Chancellor Benoit-Antoine Bacon said.

Bacon says that while the UBC community is committed to respect and compassion, “I have regretfully been made aware of campus incidents that fall very short of these values.”

“These have included forms of disrespect, bullying, harassment, discrimination, and intimidation. Hate and racism of any kind will not be tolerated at UBC. The university takes very seriously its responsibility to look into these reports and to act in accordance with our policies.”

Bacon does not explicitly reference any particular incidents in his letter to the UBC community but notes that it is unacceptable for any community member to not feel safe on campus.

“This runs absolutely contrary to our shared obligation to create learning and working environments where everyone feels a sense of safety, and belonging, and can contribute to their fullest potential.

“We must collectively summon the better angels of our nature to ensure the campus climate does not deteriorate,” he continued.

Bacon’s letter comes as the Israel-Hamas war marks exactly one month since Hamas militants stormed into Israel on Oct. 7. Since then, more than 11,000 people have been killed in the fighting.

Bacon says the university is “by definition a diverse community” where opposing and conflicting viewpoints “must peacefully co-exist.”

“Central to this mission is the provision and protection of space for respectful debate and compassionate dialogue, so we can advance knowledge, discovery, and solutions to the world’s pressing issues. Without respect, collegiality, and compassion for one another, our ability to fulfill this critical societal role is compromised.

“I call on all of us to do everything in our power to reject fear, division, anger, polarization and hate. It is up to us to define the environment in which we want to live,” he continued.

The letter also comes as UBC has been named alongside four other Canadian universities in a $15 million class action lawsuit that alleges the university failed to address recurring anti-Semitic incidents.

The law firm representing Jewish students and alumni says despite receiving numerous complaints the universities offered “superficial statements without meaningful resolution.”