This document provides guidance and resources to support healthcare workers experiencing anti-Palestinian racism, intimidation, and harassment for signing our letter, and for speaking up about Palestinian human rights. It is based on collective experience and is not legal advice.

Preparing to Meet with your Employer or Faculty  

• Request for any communication to be in writing.
  • Ask for the objectives of the meeting to be clearly stated in writing.
  • If you receive a call or a message, request that the concern be sent by email.
  • Take notes during the meeting and ask your support person to do the same.

• Delay the meeting to gather your thoughts & prepare, even when it is framed as an ‘emergency meeting’
• Review your hospital and professional college social media policy (CPSO , CPSA, CPSBC, CPSM, CPS, CPSNL, CPSNS). For physicians, CPSO also has a document called  “Advice to the Profession: Social Media”. Consider reviewing the CMPA handout on participating in health advocacy and social media.
• Have a support person at the meeting (faculty advocate, ombudsperson, supportive senior colleague, lawyer). Try not to go alone. If applicable, contact your union or learner support office for additional support.
• If there is a risk of the situation escalating, consider seeking legal guidance early.
• Do not assume that you have to defend yourself, your position or your actions in the meeting.
• Do not feel compelled to respond in the moment. It is often strategic to say that you are listening and will reflect on what is being told to you. If you are being pressured, consider saying that you will respond at a subsequent meeting or request to respond in writing at a later time.
• If you feel you are being treated unfairly in the meeting, or in advance of a meeting, voice your concerns and request for the meeting to be delayed until you have legal counsel, or a faculty ally if you are a learner.
• For your own records, document everything you are experiencing at all times (events, emotions, threats, actions) in chronological order. Periodically email notes to yourself so there is a time stamp.
• After the meeting, write a follow-up email summarizing your account, and then the employer or faculty can respond with their own version.
• Consider coordinating with colleagues who might also be called in for a meeting /experiencing a similar situation at your institution.

Responding to Contact from Colleagues

If a colleague reaches out to ‘discuss’ your Palestine advocacy:

• You are not required to engage in such discussions, you have the right to decline.
• If you know there are formal complaints against you or against a group of advocates for Palestine, consider stating that you do not think it is appropriate to meet until the complaints have been resolved.
• Consider if and how the interaction may negatively impact you. At times, certain forms of communication become harassment and are reportable.  
  • If you are being persistently harassed, consult with a lawyer about a cease and desist order.

If you decide to engage:

• Try to ensure all communication is in writing, preferably by email.
• End the conversation if you are being lectured, harassed, or intimidated, or if you experience or detect anti-Palestinian Racism
• You do not have to say anything, even if you have agreed to meet.
• Be consistently polite while remaining firm.

If you are a learner being harassed by a senior colleague, it is important to report this as it could represent misuse / abuse of power.

Resources & Talking Points

• Just Peace Advocates legal and tactical guide  
• Visualizing Palestine uses data and research to visually communicate Palestinian experiences
• Committee to Protect Journalists tools for digital safety  
• Document from the Independent Jewish Voices regarding targeted harassment campaigns regarding Palestine work
• Jewish Faculty Network against the IHRA definition of Antisemitism  
• United Nations Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner statement regarding speaking out on Gaza

Reporting Other Incidents of Anti-Palestinian Racism

• Learners can submit mistreatment/harassment forms to their university (can be submitted anonymously). This is important for record-keeping/documenting anti-Palestinian racism and the university is obligated to respond to complaints. If you are a medical student or resident based at the UofT, report to the learner experience office (OLA).

• Community Resources
  • Reporting form from the Arab Canadian Lawyers Association  
  • Incident reporting form from Muslim Medical Association of Canada 
  • Accountability form from the Canadians for Justice & Peace in the Middle East (CJPME)  

Legal Resources

• Palestine Legal Referral: A national legal referral service connecting individuals expressing support for Palestine with over fifty experienced legal counsel across Canada. This was launched by members of the Canadian Association of Labour Lawyers, Labour 4 Palestine, and the Legal Centre for Palestine.
• NCCM (National Council of Canadian Muslims): This group provides legal support often as it relates to cases in which Islamophobia, anti-Palestinian racism or antisemitism are potentially involved or alleged to be involved. They are also helpful to attend meetings.
• Muslim Legal Support Centre: They have formed a collaborative partnership with the Canadian Muslim Lawyer Association to assist individuals  in procuring legal counsel.