During the week marking October 7, various law schools are permitting organized campaigns invoking Palestinian liberation and “resistance” to coincide with the week marking the third anniversary of October 7th. Organizing a week of “resistance” around October 7th is experienced by many Jewish students as a celebration of the day their community was attacked.
Freedom of expression is a fundamental right. But it is neither absolute nor the end of the legal analysis.
Law schools are educational service providers subject to Human Rights Codes, with obligations to ensure Jewish students receive equal treatment and to address discriminatory educational environments. The Canadian Jewish Law Association calls on law school leaders and university presidents and governing bodies to examine the timing, context and impact of these activities and to ensure their legal and contractual obligations to Jewish students are being met.
Protecting expression does not displace the duty to protect equality. Law schools are responsible for both and should be held to the highest standards.
