Toronto Professor Accused of Spreading Anti-Israel Sentiments in Column

Toronto, Canada – Mark Kersten, an assistant professor of criminology, faced criticism following an opinion column published in the Toronto Star on October 15. In his piece, he referenced Prime Minister Mark Carney, who stated that Canada is “willing to participate in a multilateral mission” to enforce a ceasefire in the ongoing conflict.

Kersten’s claims, however, have been challenged for their factual inaccuracies. He asserted, “never before has Canada contemplated participating in a force to protect civilians from a terrorist group and an ostensible ally waging an increasingly acknowledged genocide.” Critics have countered that there is no evidence of genocide in Gaza, citing reports like the UN‘s Pillay Commission, which has been criticized for its reliance on unverifiable sources.

The discussion around Israel’s actions has also sparked debate. Kersten pointed out that despite Israel’s declared ceasefire, it had traded a small number of live hostages for thousands of Palestinian prisoners, including many convicted of serious crimes against Israelis. This gesture, critics argue, showcases a level of restraint rather than genocidal intent.

Kersten questioned whether a military intervention would protect Palestinian civilians, neglecting to mention the dangers posed to Israeli citizens by Hamas, the governing entity in Gaza. He described those advocating for intervention as viewing military action as a last resort to save lives. However, many denounce the comparison he draws between Israel and Hamas, labeling the latter as a terrorist organization.

John Spencer, an expert on urban warfare, acknowledged efforts made by Israel that include harm mitigation strategies to protect civilians. He highlighted Israel’s humanitarian efforts, such as providing mass polio vaccinations and facilitating medical aid into Gaza. Critics argue that these actions contradict the characterization of Israel as a genocidal entity.

In his column, Kersten also claimed that Israel had a history of attacking peacekeepers, linking to incidents that resulted in injuries. However, he failed to mention the context in which these events occurred. Meanwhile, allegations of suffering among Gazans are consistently directed at Hamas rather than Israel.

Kersten concluded by urging Canada to suspend trade with Israel and pursue accountability for alleged atrocities in Gaza. These calls for accountability have been met with skepticism, as many believe they ignore the violence perpetrated by Hamas.

HonestReporting Canada, an organization focused on accuracy in media coverage concerning Israel and the Jewish community, responded to Kersten’s column. The organization advocates against what it perceives as anti-Jewish rhetoric masked as anti-Israel critique, and it actively monitors Canadian media.

The controversy surrounding Kersten’s opinions illustrates the intense complexity and sensitivity of opinions on the Israel-Palestine conflict.