The National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM) is hosting an event on November 1 featuring Dr. Cornel West, aimed at raising awareness and support in the fight against Islamophobia and racism in Canada. West, a well-known academic and media commentator, has a history of advocating for civil liberties in the United States. However, he has also faced criticism for his views on Israel, which some describe as anti-Israel rhetoric.

West identifies as a "non-Marxist socialist" and has characterized the United States as a "racist patriarchal" society influenced by white supremacy. His perspective often frames issues as a struggle between oppressors and the oppressed, a viewpoint he applies to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Following the Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023, West issued a statement expressing sorrow for the violence but also called for an end to what he termed the "illegal occupation of Palestinians" and an immediate cessation of violence, which some interpret as dismissing Israel's right to self-defense.

Critics point out that Israel withdrew from Gaza nearly two decades ago, and West's references to the "U.S.-supported Israeli occupation" extend beyond the territories captured during the Six-Day War of 1967 to encompass the entire state of Israel. In a tweet from July 2023, West stated, "The painful truth is that the Israeli state — like the USA — has been racist in practice since its inception," suggesting that the establishment of Israel resulted in the dispossession of Palestinian people.

West has described Israel as an "undeniable evil" and has advocated for a secular federated state with United Nations oversight. His comments have raised concerns about the implications for the Jewish population in Israel. On October 8, 2023, he referred to the violence in Gaza as the "desperate language of an occupied people" and equated the actions of Hamas with those of democratic governments, stating, "The U.S. government, the Israeli government and the occupied Hamas forces have blood on their hands."

At an anti-Israel rally in Michigan, West expressed strong opposition to Israeli policies, saying, "I hate the Israeli occupation, I hate the Israeli domination, I hate the Israeli genocide," while clarifying that his sentiments do not extend to all Jewish individuals. In an April 2024 interview, he controversially described the October 7 attacks as a "counter-terrorist response," a statement that has drawn significant backlash.

West's alignment with figures known for their anti-Israel sentiments, including Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan, has further fueled criticism. Farrakhan has made inflammatory remarks about Jews, including blaming them for Black oppression in the U.S. and praising Hitler. West's participation in events associated with such figures has raised questions about his stance on Jewish issues and the broader implications of his rhetoric.