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鈥檚 personal views 鈥渄o not in any way represent those of the University of Alberta, and the use of the centre鈥檚 name in endorsing the letter was 鈥渋mproper and unauthorized.鈥�
A spokeswoman for the university confirms the letter Flanagan referred to criticizes Canadian political leaders for what it described as being complicit in Israel鈥檚 鈥渒illing鈥� of Palestinians in Gaza.
It also criticizes NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, claiming he 鈥渞epeated the unverified accusation that Palestinians were guilty of sexual violence.鈥�
Israeli authorities have said they are investigating several cases of sexual assault and rape during Hamas鈥� Oct. 7 attack that killed an estimated 1,200 people.
On Tuesday, Israel鈥檚 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.
鈥淭he recent improper and unauthorized use of the name of the University of Alberta鈥檚 Sexual Assault Centre in endorsing an open letter has raised understandable concerns from members of our community and the public,鈥� Flanagan said in the statement.
鈥淓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.鈥�
Flanagan also noted the University of Alberta stands against racism and hatred, adding it recognizes 鈥渢he historical and ongoing harms of antisemitism.鈥�
The open letter begins with 鈥淲e, the undersigned, residing in so-called Canada.鈥� In addition to demanding an immediate ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict, it also calls on parliamentarians to both resign and demand Israel 鈥渇ree all Palestinian prisoners鈥� and 鈥渓ift its siege on Gaza.鈥�
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鈥檚 web page says the centre 鈥減rovides drop-in crisis intervention support, long-term psychotherapy, and comprehensive anti-sexual violence education to the campus community.鈥�
Flanagan apologized for the 鈥渉urt and distress this issue has caused.鈥�
鈥淚 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鈥檚 work,鈥� he said.
鈥淭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.鈥�
Flanagan鈥檚 response follows an earlier one from the university on Friday, which said the school was 鈥渁ware of this issue and has already taken steps to address the matter.鈥�
Prior to the announcement that the director had been replaced, a spokesperson for Alberta鈥檚 advanced education minister said it was taking concerns about the letter seriously and the government condemned antisemitism in any form.
鈥淥n-campus sexual assault centres play an important role in providing students and staff with confidential and compassionate supports,鈥� the statement from Rajan Sawhney鈥檚 office said.
鈥淭he University of Alberta has a responsibility and duty to address any actions made by the Sexual Assault Centre.鈥�
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