It seems hardly worthy of note. An academic with strong pro-Israel views gave a lecture yesterday at Toronto’s York University. But the event almost did not take place because of an atmosphere of intimidation created at Montreal’s Concordia University in September. Pro-Palestinian rioters at that school blocked former Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu from delivering a speech. Would York shy away from a talk by Daniel Pipes?
Mr. Pipes, director of a Philadelphia think tank, was invited by York’s Jewish Student Federation to give a public lecture at a student-run centre. Last week, that centre cancelled the talk, citing fears of protests. First Mr. Netanyahu, then Mr. Pipes. Who next?
Wisely, York’s administration refused to be intimidated. It found a venue on campus for Mr. Pipes. Security was, as they say, tight. Of such victories, however small, is free speech made to last.