The president of the University of Alberta says the school has replaced the director of its sexual assault centre over its endorsement of an open letter that questions the validity of sexual assault claims against Hamas during its deadly incursion into Israel last month.
Bill Flanagan issued a statement on Saturday saying the director害羞草研究所檚 personal views 害羞草研究所渄o not in any way represent those of the University of Alberta, and the use of the centre害羞草研究所檚 name in endorsing the letter was 害羞草研究所渋mproper and unauthorized.害羞草研究所�
A spokeswoman for the university confirms the letter Flanagan referred to criticizes Canadian political leaders for what it described as being complicit in Israel害羞草研究所檚 害羞草研究所渒illing害羞草研究所� of Palestinians in Gaza.
It also criticizes NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, claiming he 害羞草研究所渞epeated the unverified accusation that Palestinians were guilty of sexual violence.害羞草研究所�
Israeli authorities have said they are investigating several cases of sexual assault and rape during Hamas害羞草研究所� Oct. 7 attack that killed an estimated 1,200 people.
On Tuesday, Israel害羞草研究所檚 national police chief showed a small group of international reporters video testimony from an eyewitness at a music festival in southern Israel who described watching another woman being violently sexually assaulted by multiple people before she was shot in the head.
害羞草研究所淭he recent improper and unauthorized use of the name of the University of Alberta害羞草研究所檚 Sexual Assault Centre in endorsing an open letter has raised understandable concerns from members of our community and the public,害羞草研究所� Flanagan said in the statement.
害羞草研究所淓ffective immediately, the director of the centre is no longer employed by the university. The university has appointed a new interim director of the Sexual Assault Centre.害羞草研究所�
Flanagan also noted the University of Alberta stands against racism and hatred, adding it recognizes 害羞草研究所渢he historical and ongoing harms of antisemitism.害羞草研究所�
The open letter begins with 害羞草研究所淲e, the undersigned, residing in so-called Canada.害羞草研究所� In addition to demanding an immediate ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict, it also calls on parliamentarians to both resign and demand Israel 害羞草研究所渇ree all Palestinian prisoners害羞草研究所� and 害羞草研究所渓ift its siege on Gaza.害羞草研究所�
The University of Alberta Sexual Assault Centre is included among a list of groups at the end that endorse the letter.
The centre has not responded to a request for comment from the Canadian Press.
The university害羞草研究所檚 web page says the centre 害羞草研究所減rovides drop-in crisis intervention support, long-term psychotherapy, and comprehensive anti-sexual violence education to the campus community.害羞草研究所�
Flanagan apologized for the 害羞草研究所渉urt and distress this issue has caused.害羞草研究所�
害羞草研究所淚 understand that this event has been profoundly hurtful and may have compromised the trust of individuals in our community. I also recognize the significant potential negative impact given the critical nature of the centre害羞草研究所檚 work,害羞草研究所� he said.
害羞草研究所淭he services provided by the university, particularly those supporting the well-being and health of community members, must be open and welcoming to all individuals in our diverse community.害羞草研究所�
Flanagan害羞草研究所檚 response follows an earlier one from the university on Friday, which said the school was 害羞草研究所渁ware of this issue and has already taken steps to address the matter.害羞草研究所�
Prior to the announcement that the director had been replaced, a spokesperson for Alberta害羞草研究所檚 advanced education minister said it was taking concerns about the letter seriously and the government condemned antisemitism in any form.
害羞草研究所淥n-campus sexual assault centres play an important role in providing students and staff with confidential and compassionate supports,害羞草研究所� the statement from Rajan Sawhney害羞草研究所檚 office said.
害羞草研究所淭he University of Alberta has a responsibility and duty to address any actions made by the Sexual Assault Centre.害羞草研究所�
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