New Petition Calls On McGill U to Expel Student Leader Who Tweeted ‘Punch a Zionist’
by Rachel Frommer
A petition demanding the expulsion of a McGill University student government representative who urged Twitter followers to “punch a Zionist” has garnered nearly 2,000 signatures, The Algemeiner has learned.
“We the undersigned call upon McGill University to immediately expel student leader Igor Sadikov for the incitement of violence,” the petition reads, in the latest development in the the ongoing controversy that has forced Sadikov to resign from one of his numerous student government roles. This is in spite of his retaining other posts, due to what Jewish students recently told The Algemeiner is widespread anti-Israel sentiment on campus.
The MoveOn petition, which was started on Feb. 15, cites McGill’s “code of conduct” to insist that the university take action. The creator of the petition has promised it will be presented to McGill President Suzanne Fortier.
Signatories of the petition hail primarily from Canada and the US, though some are from the United Kingdom and South America. A few have added comments, such as: “No donations will be given” to McGill if Sadikov is not expelled, and, “How would McGill react if it was ‘punch a Muslim?'”
After the initial story of Sadikov’s tweet emerged, Jewish students worldwide mobilized with an “Open Letter” condemning him. It was signed by some 100 people.
A vote by the the Society of McGill University legislative council on a motion to remove Sadikov from his remaining student government posts is scheduled for this Thursday.
McGill — which ranked fourth on The Algemeiner‘s 2016 list of the “40 Worst Colleges for Jewish Students” in North America — has been described by students as one of the most contentious institutions in Canada for Jews and Israel-supporters.