A group of Jewish students is suing McGill University, alleging harassment, intimidation, and assault during the pro-Palestinian encampment and protests two years ago. Plaintiff David Cobrin launched the class-action lawsuit, which was allowed to proceed after being authorized Tuesday by Superior Court Judge Dominique Poulin. “The class members purportedly suffered damages during a series of protests which took place on McGill’s campus subsequent to the events of October 7, 2023, in relation to the international conflict between Israel and Palestine,” the decision reads. “More particularly, Jewish students were reportedly the victims of antisemitic and anti-Zionist activities and speeches, harassment and intimidation. Certain were even assaulted.” Cobrin blames McGill for failing to take action to protect Jewish students and for failing to enforce its policies and take action to “put an end to harassment and discrimination and to ensure that students are free from violence.” The suit, which names McGill University as a defendants, is seeking reimbursement of one-third of students’ tuition and study fees since Oct. 2023 and $5 million in punitive damages. McGill told CTV News that the university “unequivocally denounces all forms of antisemitism and anti-Jewish hatred and reaffirms its dedication to preventing and combating such discrimination.” “For years, McGill has taken numerous concrete steps to help ensure that antisemitism is well-understood, effectively prevented and appropriately addressed across our campuses,” a spokesperson said in a statement. McGill launched a working group on antisemitism in the fall. “Every member of our campus community deserves to work and learn in a respectful, inclusive, and supportive environment,” the statement continues. “Likewise, we all share a responsibility to foster a climate that rejects hate, intolerance, and harassment. “Acts of harassment or discrimination, including antisemitism, have no place at McGill or in society.” The student club Solidarity for Palestinian Human Rights (SPHR), which is named in the suit, has not responded to requests for comment. The SPHR was an organizer of many of the protests in 2023-2024, and called for McGill to divest from Israel-linked companies. The suit says that the SPHR “promoted the ‘Week of Rage’” around the one-year anniversary of the Oct. 7 attacks. In 2024, McGill sought an injunction to have the encampment dismantled, citing health and safety concerns. The Jewish advocacy group B’nai Brith backed the lawsuit, which was initiated in 2025. “For years, Jewish students at McGill have been harassed, marginalized, and even assaulted,” said Paola Samuel, B’nai Brith Canada’s Regional Director for Quebec and Atlantic Canada. “This decision will ensure McGill’s Jewish students have the opportunity to be heard in court.” Cobrin alleges that after Oct. 7, 2023, he was made to “feel unwelcome” and “fear for his personal safety.” “During the weeks following October 8, 2023, he saw huge groups of keffiyeh and mask-wearing protesters, whose entire faces were covered with the exception of their eyes, chanting antisemitic slogans and slogans inciting violence such as ‘From the River to the Sea, Palestine will be Free’ and ‘Intifada Now,’” the document reads. The court adds that Cobrin was blocked from entering McGill’s Bronfman Building, struck and knocked to the ground by a masked protester. “Despite the fact that he reported the incident to a security guard and pointed to the person who assaulted him, no effort was attempted to identify the protester and follow up with disciplinary measures,” the suit claims. The document states that McGill denounced instances of antisemitism on campus and “constantly adapted its responses to this unprecedented series of events, while balancing the conflicting rights of the different stakeholders.” McGill argues that the alleged facts in the suit are not sufficient for the court to intervene, adding that many protesters were third parties and not subject to school disciplinary policies. “McGill further pleads that the allegations do not plausibly convince that any specific measure it did not take would have successfully provided a safer environment for Jewish students,” the suit reads. The encampment at McGill was dismantled on July 10, 2024. All allegations must be proven in court.
