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| Graffiti in the walls of the main building at the University of Ottawa during the pro-Palestinian encampment in July 2024 (Photos: Isaac Nahon-Serfaty) |
The APUO President contributed, through his actions and omissions, to the approval of a motion in favor of Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) against Israel during the union's most recent general meeting, held via Zoom on April 30, 2025. The APUO represents full-time professors of the University of Ottawa.
As the chair of the meeting, the President bypassed fundamental procedures that should ensure the democratic participation of APUO members. He blocked several professors from speaking, favoured motions to expedite the vote on the BDS resolution, and doing so cutting the freedom of expression of professors, and he extended the meeting one hour at the will of the activists behind the anti-Israel proposal. The President did everything possible to ensure the approval of the motion by a simple majority, even if this implied curtailing the rights of members. He infringed the very Preamble of APUO’s constitution that declares: “The Association recognises diversity, shall foster respect and shall play a key role in promoting members of equity seeking groups in all sectors of university life.”
The approved motion targets professors interested in collaborating with Israeli universities and colleagues. The motion states: “Be it further resolved that the APUO calls on the University to disclose and review institutional exchange programs, research collaborations, partnerships, fellowships and other institutional involvement with Israeli academic, and other institutions that directly enable human rights violations, war crimes, and any other breaches of international law in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.” The above inquisitorial requisition limits academic freedom by putting a bullseye in the back of some professors.
In this regard, the President promoted the vote of a motion that goes against the main objective of the APUO as indicated in its constitution: “The general object of the Association shall be to promote the interests and welfare of its members through collective bargaining and other appropriate means […]” (1.2)
The President of the APUO disregarded also the union bylaws and the principles of transparency and collegiality (the so-called “Robert’s Rules of Order”). When asked, in a point of privilege, to reconsider voting on the motion in a special meeting totally consecrated to the anti-Israel proposal to secure a fair discussion and an informed vote of the members, he dismissed it and pushed forward favouring the interests of the anti-Israel activists. Actually, the President contradicted himself several times during the AGM assuring the members that he was not going to “restrict debate on contentious issues.” That’s exactly what he did.
With his behaviour, the President caused a big flaw to the entire procedure of passing the motion against Israel. The very approval of this BDS diatribe is flawed. The President, from whom a more balanced conduct was expected, showed his biased attitude toward those who criticized the motion in its form and substance. By deciding to disregard the principles of transparency and democratic participation, the President has likely caused irreparable damage to APUO. The association should defend the interests of all University of Ottawa faculty, not just the interests of a group of activists who promote division and animosity against other members.
Isaac Nahon-Serfaty
Professor, Department of communication, University of Ottawa
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