uOttawa antisemitism advisor quits after backlash over praise for exploding pagers in Lebanon

Article content

The University of Ottawa’s special advisor on antisemetism has resigned after posting a comment on social media that called exploding pagers “brilliant.”

On Tuesday, hundreds of communications devices used by members of Hezbollah exploded across Lebanon, killing 12 people, including two children, and injuring thousands. Hezbollah, which Canada recognizes as a “listed terrorist entity,” has blamed Israel and has vowed to retaliate.

Article content

In a posting on X, uOttawa antisemitism advisor Artur Wilczynski commented: “Today’s targeting of Hezbollah operatives was brilliant. It struck a major blow against a terror group that has fired thousands of rockets against civilians all while the useless UN mission in Lebanon stands by. There is a price to pay #Hezbollah #FAFO.”

Those comments ignited a social-media backlash.

Wilczynski, a long-time public servant and former ambassador to Norway with a background in foreign policy, intelligence, security and defence, later added on X: “There has been significant misunderstanding of my use of the word ‘brilliant.’ The loss of innocent lives in any conflict is abhorrent & must be avoided. As a retired national security & intel leader, my use of that word was about the complexity & sophistication of an operation.”

Wilczynski announced Thursday that he had resigned.

“I believe in accountability,” he posted on X. “My posts on the Hezbollah/Israel war caused harm & affected my ability to help combat antisemitism at U of Ottawa. My intent in sharing is irrelevant when it is clear many were hurt by them. I apologize.”

Article content

Article content

Responding to online criticism, Wilczynski, who had been appointed in June, also defended his decision not to take down the original post.

“Because unlike you people, I don’t believe in re-writing history. I did write it and it should be part of the record. It’s called transparency.”

According to his biography, Wilczynski has a master’s degree in international relations and conflict studies. He was the first federal government-wide executive champion for the Jewish Public Servants Network and has been recognized for advancing 2SLGBTQ+ rights.

Wilczynski came to Canada with his family as refugees from Communist Poland in 1969. He is the son and grandson of Holocaust survivors, according to the Centre for Holocaust Education and Scholarship.

He was director general of international affairs and border policy at Public Safety Canada and assistant deputy minister for equity, diversity and inclusion at the Communications Security Establishment. He also served as Canada’s head of delegation to the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance from 2016 to 2018.

Article content

The announcement of Wilczynski’s appointment at the University of Ottawa on June 25 said his role would be to provide guidance and advice on addressing systemic and specific cases of antisemitism.

“His mandate includes studying antisemitism and advising the university’s senior leadership on strategies to combat it and other forms of racism, discrimination and harassment to promote a safer campus for all,” university president Jacques Frémont said in announcing the appointment.

“The Special Advisor’s role includes serving as a liaison between members of the Jewish community and the University administration, and providing his vast expertise as a resource to faculty, students and staff.”

At the time, Wilczynski said confronting antisemitism and all forms of discrimination was essential.

“With the rise in hate, prejudice and exclusion, we need to address the specific challenges Jewish students, faculty and staff face.”

David Sachs, community relations and antisemitism specialist at the Jewish Federation of Ottawa, said the federation was grateful to the University of Ottawa for understanding the urgent need to confront  antisemitism.

Article content

“In his short time in the role, Artur Wilczynski made a large impact, and we’re thankful for his service to the Jewish and university communities,” Sachs said.

“Unfortunately, reflecting the problem, there is a large cohort who will attack and smear anyone who defends the Jewish community, and journalists and politicians across Canada are beginning to experience this themselves,” Sachs added.

“The role of advisor on antisemitism is critical to fighting hate at the university. Our message to the university is find a replacement as soon as possible. Students are facing antisemitic harassment and threats on campus right now, and we can’t delay this work.”

In a statement, Independent Jewish Voices Ottawa and its Carleton University chapter said the group, which promotes “the expression of alternative Jewish voices, particularly in respect of the grave situation in the Middle East,” welcomed Wilczynski’s resignation.

“Wilczynski’s comments directly put Jewish students in harm’s way,” Nir Hagigi, a Carleton representative, said in the statement.

“As someone tasked with supporting the Jewish community on campus, his actions undermine his role and ignite further division and harm.”

Article content

University of Ottawa director of public affairs Jesse Robichaud said Wilczynski informed the university of his decision to resign.

“Determined to make our campuses safer and more secure for the Jewish community, the University of Ottawa remains committed to confronting antisemitism and all forms of hate and discrimination.”

Our website is your destination for up-to-the-minute news, so make sure to bookmark our homepage and sign up for our newsletters so we can keep you informed.

Article content