Jewish billionaire who donated $30million to university slams valedictorian who spent nine minutes lecturing grads about Gaza: ‘This is hate speech and lies’

A Jewish billionaire who has donated millions to the University of Manitoba has dismissed a valedictorian’s speech as full of “hate speech and lies.”

In a letter Monday, Ernest Rady told university officials at the school in Winnipeg, Manitoba, that he was hurt and shocked by valedictorian Gem Newman’s speech.

Newman gave a speech last week to those graduating from the Max Rady College of Medicine and referenced the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.

The school was renamed in honor of Rady’s father after he donated $30 million in 2016.

Rady had attended college and then founded American Assets Inc, a real estate investment company with a market value of more than $2 billion.

In his letter, he said, “Newman’s speech dishonored not only the memory of my father, but also the disrespected and denigrated Jewish people as a whole.”

During his speech, Newman referred to what he called Israel’s “deliberate targeting” of hospitals in Palestine.

He also called for an “immediate and lasting” ceasefire in Gaza and called on those gathered before him to do the same.

Newman said: “Israel’s deliberate attacks on hospitals and other civilian infrastructure have resulted in more than 35,000 deaths and widespread famine and disease.

“I ask you to join me in calling for an immediate and lasting ceasefire in Palestine, and to join me in calling for unlimited humanitarian and medical aid in Gaza.

“I am sure that some of you here today are concerned that you will face censure for speaking about Israel’s genocidal war against the Palestinian people, and that it could jeopardize your career before it even begins.” has started.

‘I understand that fear. I certainly don’t need to remind you that advocacy is literally in our job description. It’s never too late to join the right side of history.’

CBC reported that a video of his speech was shared on the University of Manitoba YouTube page before it was removed after Rady requested it.

The letter, first reported by the Winnipeg Free Pressalso criticized the university for allowing Newman to “spew these hateful lies to a captivated audience.”

“Because she has not lived up to Gem Newman’s words, the university has not been better.”

Rady called on them to “recognize that it was not only inaccurate but outright lies, that it was offensive to the university’s Jewish students and all people of Jewish faith, and that the comments have no place in any context.” University.’

Rady added, “When I make a donation to an institution, I do so because I believe in that institution and I trust that the governing body will do important, meaningful and good work with that money.

‘But in this case, by remaining silent, I would be complicit. These words are not a political opinion. It’s hate speech and it’s lies.

“They embrace the same age-old prejudices about Jewish omnipotence and thirst for domination that have been used for centuries to justify the atrocities committed against this religious group.”

“Having failed to pre-research the farewell speech, I implore the University of Manitoba to take action and finally do the right thing.

“Please delete the convocation video and do not repost it unless the valedictorian’s entire speech has been deleted.

Recognize that it was not just inaccurate, but outright lies, that it was offensive to the university’s Jewish students and all people of Jewish faith, and that the comments have no place in any university context.

‘Advocating the protection of one group of people while in the same breath calling for the destruction and elimination of another group is not advocacy. It’s hate.’

The day after the letter, Dr. Peter Nickerson, dean of Max Rady College, said in a statement: “I have heard from individuals who attended yesterday who were disappointed and alarmed by the political message in the farewell speech.

‘I share these concerns. I too am disappointed that the speech was delivered in a way that did not represent all students and was disrespectful to some audience members who were there to celebrate and be celebrated.

“This is not the purpose of a farewell address and the speech should have better reflected the shared experiences, successes and commitment to serving all communities.

“The valedictorian expressed his own views, and this was in no way a message vetted or endorsed by the College.”

In a statement on his social media, Newman said: “In my farewell speech, I was critical of a national government currently engaged in its campaign of collective punishment against the Palestinian people, resulting in the deaths of tens of thousands of civilians. .

“It is frankly unbelievable to me that advocating a cessation of hostilities is seen not only as controversial, but also as hateful.

“I am and will continue to be critical of the horrific and disproportionate response of the State of Israel to the terrible tragedy of October 7.

“But criticism of the Israeli government’s actions does not in itself constitute anti-Semitism.

“That accusation (which has been made not only against me but countless others) is not only not serious, but also serves to trivialize the unfortunately very real cases of anti-Semitism that are occurring.”

He added: ‘Since my farewell speech I have received hundreds of messages from doctors, medical students and members of the public thanking me for my words.

“I have also received more than my share of harassment and threats. But at the end of the day, I still get to hug my children, something that so many parents in Gaza will never be able to do again.”

Newman obtained his PhD from the university while also obtaining a BSc in Computer Science.

He also produces a podcast based on promoting secular humanism and scientific skepticism.