Jewish students at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) experienced a traumatic event on November 5, when a planned dialogue about Israel turned into a scene of violence and fear. The event, organized by Students Supporting Israel (SSI), was intended to provide a platform for open discussion featuring speakers from the Israel Defense Forces. However, TMU denied the group’s requests to host the event on campus, citing safety concerns, while allowing other groups, such as Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP), to hold events without similar restrictions.

In response to the university's denials, SSI rented a private room off campus, believing they had created a safe environment for dialogue. Shortly before the event began, a group of masked protesters affiliated with SJP discovered the location and stormed the building. They chanted slogans such as "Free Palestine" and "IDF off our campus," while one protester smashed a glass door with a weapon, narrowly missing attendees inside. The situation escalated, prompting a call to the police as students barricaded the door in fear.

The incident has left many Jewish students feeling betrayed and unsafe on their campus. One attendee described the experience as surreal, stating, "It felt like watching the very principles of university life collapse in front of us." The group had followed all university protocols and taken precautions, yet their safety was compromised.

The organizers expressed frustration over what they perceive as a double standard at TMU. They noted that while their event faced repeated administrative hurdles, other student groups were allowed to host events that criticized Israel without similar scrutiny. This perceived inequity has led to feelings of exclusion among Jewish and Israeli students, who feel that the university's commitment to diversity and inclusion is not upheld when it comes to their voices.

In the aftermath of the violence, there have been questions about how the protesters learned of the private event. SSI members stated that no student should fear physical attack for expressing their beliefs, emphasizing that this issue affects all students, regardless of their background. They called for a reassessment of how universities handle political expression and the safety of all students on campus.

The incident raises broader questions about the balance between the right to protest and the need to ensure safety and respect for differing viewpoints in academic settings. As universities strive to be places of open dialogue, incidents like this highlight the challenges they face in maintaining a safe environment for all students.