While it was not a terror attack, students felt terrorized

Article content

Even without an explosion this was terror!

Article content

Dressed as a “Hamas terrorist” this masked man ominously stood still in the middle of the student Toronto Metropolitan University lobby like a statue.

Surreal, weird and bloody scary. He was freaking people out. This was no Halloween stunt but an orchestrated action to create fear.

With a red and white keffiyeh over his shoulders, a red headband with Arabic writing over a black ski mask with mirror sunglasses and holding a wrapped up Palestinian flag on a pole that some thought looked like a weapon, this was one strange scene at the downtown campus Tuesday.

People, already reeling from Pro-Hamas supporters entering the lobby and chanting “Free, Free Palestine,” noticed his fanny pack and knapsack and worried what he would do next? Sources say one Jewish student had his camera smashed to the ground but there are no reported arrests.

Article content

Article content

Article content

Sometimes the most effective terror attack is one that looks like it is about to take place. This was terrifying and terrorizing.

“Students were very uncomfortable, one hundred per cent,” said TMU law student Malka Daniels who witnessed the whole thing. “He looked like he was in tactical gear and wearing a headband with a logo or emblem of a designated terror group.” 

The video was originally brought to my attention by Meir Weinstein of Israel Now, who made the point that in the aftermath of the murderous horrors of Oct. 7, no Jewish or non Jewish student, faculty member or citizen should be subjected to something like this.

Article content

Canada has had terror attacks before as well. So, when one looks like it could be about to go down, it’s understandable it would scare people. More videos are emerging of this madness that shows security seem to have no answer for it.

The university issued a statement Friday night.

“On Tuesday, October 29, a small number of students held a sit-in event on campus,” said the statement. “TMU’s security team and the Toronto Police Service were on-site to investigate concerns raised at the event. To date, no formal complaints have been received about this individual.” 

It reminds of the time a guy wore a vest of party canisters used in gender reveal scenarios and how some thought it resembled a suicide vest while others laughed it off as a person carrying a legal product. 

Article content

RECOMMENDED VIDEO

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

Play Video

TMU said it “is reviewing the incident. These issues are not unique to TMU; they are being navigated at campuses worldwide. We encourage all community members to make use of new programming to foster understanding and compassion. As the university shared on October 31, it is vital that our campus be welcoming to people of all faiths and backgrounds.” 

To translate, the university once known as Ryerson and changed the name because of alleged previous concerns of discriminatory conduct is not taking this incident seriously. 

Toronto Police, as common in many cases like this, have not yet commented.

But Jewish organizations certainly are.

“The footage from TMU today is shocking,” said Richard Robertson, Director of Research and Advocacy of B’nai B’rith Canada. “It begs the question: Has the university conceded to the rogues who are inciting hate and glorifying terror? There is no justification for not taking immediate action against a student who chose to dress as a terrorist.”

Article content

Certainly, just out of the interest of safety, somebody who can’t be identified at all, let alone as a student there, should be removed from the campus immediately.

“The TMU administration should be ashamed of itself,” said Robertson. “To the detriment of its entire community, it continues to capitulate to the caustic demands of fringe radicals.”

Article content

Richard Marceau, Vice President, External Affairs and General Counsel, Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs agrees.

“There are few things as horrifying as seeing someone knowingly dressed as a member of a recognized terrorist group,” he said.

Reminding that “Hamas is a listed terrorist entity in Canada, and it is appalling that this open glorification of terror was allowed on a Canadian campus. This act was a clear attempt to intimidate and instill fear,” and “we call on Toronto Police Services to investigate the incident and hold the perpetrator accountable.”

Something needs to happen.

“It is reprehensible, and they must be held accountable,” said Jay Solomon of Hillel Ontario, who works with students there. “The only reason that a person dressed in this manner would come to campus is to intimidate Jewish students.”

It worked.

Article content