Criminology Expert Mark Kersten Allegedly Promotes Anti-Israel Views in Toronto Star
Mark Kersten, an assistant professor and outspoken critic of Israel, wrote an opinion piece for the Toronto Star on October 15. His article, titled “Carney has proposed Canadian peacekeepers in Gaza. Is that a good idea?”, discusses Prime Minister Mark Carney’s proposal for Canadian participation in a multilateral mission to enforce a ceasefire in Gaza.
Claims and Controversies in Kersten’s Commentary
In his commentary, Kersten made several controversial assertions. He claimed that Canada has never considered protecting civilians from a group he labeled as terrorists. This claim has been challenged, as there is no evidence to support the accusation of genocide in Gaza.
- The UN’s Pillay Commission report, which alleged genocide, has been criticized for its reliance on unverified information.
- Israel’s recent actions, including a ceasefire and the release of hostages, demonstrate its commitment to protecting lives.
Kersten also contrasted the perceived threats to Palestinians and the need for peacekeeping, but he notably excluded the need to protect Israeli civilians. Hamas has governed Gaza since 2007 and has openly expressed hostile intentions towards Israel, further complicating the situation.
Equating Israel and Hamas
Kersten’s commentary equates Israel with Hamas, which many view as an egregious simplification. While he argued for military intervention to safeguard civilians in Gaza, he neglected the extensive measures Israel has taken to protect its own citizens and those in Gaza, including:
- Conducting harm mitigation during military operations.
- Facilitating humanitarian aid, including the provision of millions of meals and medical assistance.
- Allowing significant amounts of humanitarian aid into Gaza.
These actions highlight the complexities surrounding the Israel-Hamas conflict and Israel’s efforts to minimize civilian casualties.
Calls for Accountability and Boycotts
Towards the conclusion of his article, Kersten called for measures against Israel, including trade suspensions and sanctions. This reflects a long-standing trend of boycotting the only Jewish state, which many see as discriminatory. Notably absent from his critiques was consideration of Hamas’s actions, particularly their atrocities committed on October 7.
Kersten’s column, instead of providing a balanced view on peacekeeping, appears to serve a political agenda that distorts the complexities of the Israel-Palestinian conflict. His framing of the situation oversimplifies the realities on the ground, ultimately misrepresenting moral and factual truths.
