Amid on-campus tensions brought on by Israel-Hamas war, experts worry about free expression

Heated debates about the Israel-Hamas war have permeated Canadian university campuses, with rallies held at multiple locations and some student unions censured or criticized for statements about the conflict. Academics are alarmed to see dissent shifting into personal attacks and wary of a potential chill on free expression.

Amid on-campus tensions brought on by Israel-Hamas war, experts worry about free expression
A crowd of people holding signs, placards and a Palestinian flag gather around and look to a speaker with a microphone outside a Toronto Metropolitan University building.

Heated debates about the Israel-Hamas war have permeated Canadian university campuses, with rallies held at multiple locations and some student unions censured or criticized for statements about the conflict. Academics are alarmed to see dissent shifting into personal attacks and wary of a potential chill on free expression.