-Michelle
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A controversy has erupted at Queen's University in Canada, where student rector Nick Day recently accused Israel of genocide – and claimed his views represented those of Queens students. Now many students have accused Day of misrepresenting his role, and their views.
In a letter he wrote in support of Israeli Apartheid Week in response to a critic, Day said, “I was elected to represent the approximately 20,000 students of Queen's University. If ever I used the influence of my office and the power of my public voice, as you have, to insulate from criticism the perpetrator of mass-slaughter, I would have a very difficult time sleeping at night.”
Day went on to accuse Israel of “genocide” and of creating “the biggest human rights tragedy of my generation.”
Queen's Principle Daniel Woolf later announced, “Mr. Day's views do not and should not be seen as being representative of those of the University or Queen's students.” He said it was “inappropriate” for Day, who was elected to advocate for students' education, to use his position to back a political view.
However, Woolf said Day's accusations against Israel are not an issue in and of themselves. “The views... are not the issue – agree or disagree, he is entitled to them,” Woolf stated. Woolf and Day met Thursday to discuss the matter.
Students groups, among them Israel on Campus, have gathered thousands of signatures calling for a referendum on whether or not Day should be allowed to continue to serve as rector.
Israeli Apartheid Week is being held soon for the 7th year in a row. During the week, anti-Israel activists take to college campuses with lectures and exhibitions accusing Israel of brutality and oppression against Palestinian Authority Arabs.
Last year, journalist David Bedein called for Israel to by pointing out that the Arab world, and the PA, advocate apartheid policies against Jews.
