Following reports of an antisemitic campaign taking place at Stephen Lewis Secondary School – which was launched by students as part of a school project and promotes the false claim that Israel conducts ‘human testing’ of medicine on Palestinian prisoners – Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center (FSWC) has remained in communication with the Peel District School Board to ensure action is taken.

This morning, FSWC President and CEO Avi Benlolo was assured by PDSB Director of Education Peter Joshua that the board is taking the matter seriously and is investigating.

In a statement sent to FSWC, PDSB said it recognizes “the severity of the hurt and harm that the class project has caused for members of the Jewish community and others inside and outside of Peel Region” and is committing to a full review of the project.

“We are working to determine where gaps in understanding exist so we can address them through education. Although our investigation continues, and we have more to learn about the project and its goals, we acknowledge that we must seek the support of community experts in our learning,” PDSB said in the statement.

“We trust that the school board is conducting a thorough investigation and will take the necessary steps to ensure such antisemitism or any other kind of racism will not be allowed at any Peel Region school again,” said Benlolo. “We have offered FSWC’s educational resources to the board and will make certain the appropriate measures are taken.”

‍

Media Contact:‍

Avital Borisovsky
Communications Associate
416.864.9735 x 29
aborisovsky@fswc.ca