A philanthropist who donated $30 million to the University of Manitoba is condemning what he says was a “hateful” and “anti-Semitic” speech made by the valedictorian of the medical school that bears the name of his Jewish father.
Billionaire Ernest Rady, who was born in Winnipeg and graduated from the University of Manitoba, says he is “hurt and appalled” by the remarks made by the valedictorian at the May 16 convocation for students from the Max Rady College of Medicine.
The medical school was renamed in honour of Mr. Rady’s late father, a physician, when the real estate mogul donated $30 million to the university in 2016.
Roughly two minutes of the valedictorian’s 10-minute speech in May was devoted to the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, which began after the terrorist group led an attack on Israel that left approximately 1,200 people killed and about 240 individuals held captive.
The speech accused Israel of deliberately targeting hospitals and other civilian infrastructure in its response, and called Israel’s war on Hamas “genocidal.”
“I ask that you join me in calling for an immediate and lasting ceasefire in Palestine. Join me in calling for unrestricted humanitarian and medical aid in Gaza. Join me in calling for an end to the targeting of healthcare facilities, medical staff and journalists,” the valedictorian said.
University Responds
The university posted a response to the speech on May 17, calling it disappointing that the valedictorian chose to politicize his remarks, adding that it was “disrespectful to some audience members.”
“As we continue our convocation events, may we be mindful of the diversity of our community, our common humanity, and the purpose of these celebrations.”
Mr. Rady called the school’s response “inadequate” and demanded the university denounce the valedictorian’s remarks not only as “inaccurate,” but as “flat-out lies” that were “hurtful to the university’s Jewish students and all people of the Jewish faith.”
The Epoch Times contacted the university for comment, but did not receive a reply prior to publication. Mr. Rady has declined all media interviews.
