The University of Toronto is facing criticism on social media over a planned student vigil scheduled for the anniversary of the October 7 attacks, as well as the separate screening of a film titled The Gaza Ghetto Uprising in the UTSU Student Commons, organized by student groups.
Promoted by several student and activist groups, the vigil is titled “Honoring Our Martyrs” on October 7 at Sidney Smith Hall. The text marks “3 years of genocide, we will not forget,” calling on participants to “remember and honor the lives taken in Gaza over the past three years.”
The vigil has drawn condemnation from public figures and advocacy organizations who argue that scheduling the event on the anniversary of the Hamas-led attacks is intentionally provocative and offensive.
Hey @UofT, we hope you are aware of this unacceptable event happening on your campus, with certain student groups attempting to hold a vigil for Palestinians on the day of the anniversary of the October 7/23 terror attacks, a day when Hamas terrorists infiltrated Israel, maiming,… pic.twitter.com/MQy6DWhuLy
— HonestReporting Canada (@HonestRepCanada) September 29, 2026
Dr. Casey Babb, a national security expert and senior fellow with the Macdonald-Laurier Institute, took to social media to heavily criticize the university for allowing the event to proceed. Speaking to The Jerusalem Post, Babb said that “Many in the Jewish community, and even those outside of it, who’ve also been subjected to the anti-Zionist lynch mob these last few years, were mortified to learn of this event – but not surprised. Indeed, similar events, which feel like celebratory gatherings to honor our murderers, are happening across the country on October 7.”
Babb continued, saying that “news of this event at the University of Toronto comes just days after a mass casualty event was prevented in Belleville, and after two other men were arrested in separate incidents for planning their own large-scale attacks. In addition, there was also a man arrested in Canada last week for plotting a chemical weapons attack here – four events in a week – and now this in Toronto.”
Hey @UofT, we hope you are aware of this unacceptable event happening on your campus, with certain student groups attempting to hold a vigil for Palestinians on the day of the anniversary of the October 7/23 terror attacks, a day when Hamas terrorists infiltrated Israel, maiming,… pic.twitter.com/MQy6DWhuLy
— HonestReporting Canada (@HonestRepCanada) September 29, 2026
Leadership glorifying terrorism, indulges in heinous libels
Babb added that “Leaders in this country at all levels, and in all sectors, need to understand the connection between the two. You can’t allow certain groups of people in this country to glorify terrorism, and indulge in heinous libels, and then feign outrage when people try to carry out attacks of their own. Lip service helps no one.”
Honest Reporting Canada also criticized the university over the vigil on X/Twitter and flagged a separate event scheduled for the eve of the anniversary on October 6, for a documentary screening of The Gaza Ghetto Uprising by Adi Callai. Organized by several student groups, the screening is slated to take place at the SBA Center in the UTSU Student Commons.
The Network of Engaged Canadian Academics (NECA) said in a statement to the Post. “Rallies, protests, and public memorials are important parts of democratic life, and students have the right to exercise freedom of expression,” NECA stated.
On the third anniversary of October 7, students at @UofT will hold a vigil, not for the innocent Israelis raped, murdered, and kidnapped that day, but for the animals who carried out those attacks. What’s happened to this once great country is appalling. pic.twitter.com/Lai5qibOxq
— Casey Babb (@DrCaseyBabb) September 29, 2026
“But rights are never exercised in a vacuum. In a university community, freedom of expression must be held alongside other core commitments: the dignity and safety of all students, the obligation to maintain a campus where all students can learn without fear, free from harassment, discrimination, intimidation, hate or violence.”
“Choosing October 7 as the date for a memorial framed around Palestinian ‘martyrs’ demands that we ask whether the event functions as a memorial, or is it functioning as intimidation or the glorification of violence and terror. October 7 marks the anniversary of the Hamas-led massacre where 1,200 men, women and children, including 8 Canadians, were murdered, sexually assaulted, abducted, and desecrated,” NECA said.
There is a major anti-Israel problem at @UofT that needs urgent addressing ⬇️
The day before the 3rd anniversary of the October 7/23 terror attacks in Israel, anti-Israel student groups at @uoft are showing an extremist anti-Israel documentary, which attempts to compare the… pic.twitter.com/PNZNBikX6W
— HonestReporting Canada (@HonestRepCanada) September 29, 2026
Language of martyrdom minimizes, justifies, glorifies violence
NECA added, “The advertisement invites participants to gather on October 7 to ‘remember and honor’ Gaza’s ‘martyrs’ while renewing accusations of institutional complicity against the university. Those words may be intended by some as an expression of grief for Palestinian suffering. In the context of October 7, the language of martyrdom can reasonably be heard as minimizing, justifying, or glorifying the violence of that day.”
NECA concluded: “Universities can and must protect lawful protest while also setting clear limits when expression crosses into harassment, intimidation, or the celebration of atrocity and terrorism. We must ask hard questions: Why this date? What is meant by ‘martyrs’? What safeguards are in place to ensure that the event does not become a platform for antisemitism, threats, or the glorification of the October 7 attacks? How are Jewish and Israeli students expected to experience a campus that marks this anniversary in this way, and what concrete steps will be taken to ensure that they are respected, protected, and able to participate fully in university life?
“University leaders and local law enforcement should be prepared to explain how they will assess risk, monitor the event, enforce the law and campus policies, and protect Jewish students from harassment before, during, and after it.”
In a statement to the Post, a UofT spokesperson said: “The University of Toronto is aware of events that are being planned and advertised by various groups to take place on and near our campuses, including on city streets that fall outside the university’s jurisdiction, on and around Oct. 7. Organizers include recognized student groups, and entities that have no recognition or status at UofT.”
The spokesperson added, “In assessing these events, the University is balancing its commitments to freedom of expression and protecting human rights alongside its obligations under the Ontario government’s free speech directive and Bill 166 regulations. Campus Safety staff are evaluating all events that have come to the University’s attention and are taking appropriate steps in collaboration with municipal police partners, as needed, to ensure the safety of all community members.
“It is not the University’s role to adjudicate speech that falls within the bounds of its policies or Canadian law. The University will act swiftly to enforce its policies should it become aware of potential violations and will respond promptly to complaints under our policies. Anyone present on our campuses, whether members of the University community or visitors, must comply with University policies and the law.”
