A respected dean of dentistry has stepped away from his position following the discovery of deeply troubling images within a recent lecture. The images, revealed to faculty on Thursday, sparked immediate concern and ignited a conversation about antisemitism within the university.
Dr. Anil Kishen, appointed to the deanship last summer, explained his inclusion of the cartoons was not motivated by malice, but rather as visual analogies for complex concepts. He acknowledged a grave error in judgment, stating he hadn’t fully appreciated the discriminatory and harmful nature of the imagery.
One cartoon depicted a figure entangled in ropes representing the Palestinian flag, with a crucial detail altered – the Star of David was removed from the Israeli flag. The second image, a caricature of a man in a money-filled pool labeled “IMMUNITY,” has a history of appearing in various presentations, even surfacing in materials from a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency report.
The incident unfolds against a backdrop of escalating anti-Jewish sentiment on Canadian university campuses. Following the horrific attacks of October 7th, protests and demonstrations erupted, sometimes spilling into intimidation tactics directed at Jewish communities and individuals.
Recent court rulings have even acknowledged the presence of hate speech and harassment targeting those visibly identifying as Jewish near university encampments. Jewish students and medical professionals have reported facing daily discrimination and a hostile learning environment.
The university has confirmed Dr. Kishen is currently on leave while a thorough investigation takes place. He has pledged full cooperation and expressed a commitment to fostering a more inclusive and respectful learning environment for all students.
Dr. Kishen issued a sincere apology to students and faculty, recognizing the significant harm caused by his oversight. He also vowed to deepen his understanding of antisemitism and its subtle manifestations within educational settings.
Observers note this incident underscores a larger problem: the growing sense of vulnerability and fear experienced by Jewish students navigating an increasingly hostile campus climate. The hope is that this moment will serve as a catalyst for meaningful change and a renewed commitment to combating antisemitism within the university and beyond.
The university’s statement emphasized the importance of ensuring every student can pursue their education without hostility or fear, and expressed a willingness to engage in constructive dialogue to address the issue.
