A Canadian professor, not of Jewish descent, claims he was dismissed from his position for defending Israel in a social media post, amidst a rise in anti-Semitism in Canada following the Hamas attacks on October 7.
Paul Finlayson, who taught at the University of Guelph-Humber, stated that he lost his job due to his outspoken views on the kidnapping and killing of Israelis and foreigners, which included Americans and Canadians.
In November 2023, Finlayson replied to a message on LinkedIn, where an educator expressed intentions to eliminate Israel. The post was eventually deleted, but Finlayson’s response was referenced in a December 2023 article. He stated, “If you say ‘from the river to the sea,’ you’re a Nazi. I am not neutral. I support Israel. I am against anti-Semites who want nothing but the death of Jews.” He also condemned the violence against civilians, lamenting the loss of life and the rise of extremist rhetoric.
Since then, Finlayson has faced harassment that he believes has harmed his professional reputation and future job opportunities. After students discovered his LinkedIn comments, it led to considerable backlash. While he was meeting with a student on November 27, an administrator issued a suspension notice.
The suspension letter cited “inappropriate online comments” and placed him on administrative leave while an investigation was conducted. It also restricted him from contacting anyone associated with the university.
Finlayson described his relationship with students as positive, noting they favored him for his teaching, yet the rumors stemming from the accusations have tarnished his academic standing. He voiced his belief that his situation was fundamentally about defamation.
His university did not comment on the investigation or the circumstances surrounding his termination. In July 2025, a termination letter specified that his actions constituted violations of various rights policies after complaints surfaced, determining that he engaged in retaliatory behavior.
The university’s harassment policy emphasizes equal treatment, stating that retaliation for complaints is subject to disciplinary measures.
Despite the intense backlash against Finlayson, three employees from York University faced charges after engaging in similar activism. These individuals were accused of hate-motivated mischief in November 2023 for defacing property in protest against a Jewish CEO.
In Canada, anti-Semitism has surged dramatically since the beginning of October. A report revealed a projected increase in anti-Semitic incidents for 2025, marking a significant rise compared to previous years and the highest recorded data since tracking began.
