University decides not to discipline Elmasry

Nicholas Kohler

Mohamed Elmasry, the University of Waterloo professor who told a television talk show host that targeting Israeli civilians was an acceptable course of action, will receive no disciplinary action from his employers.  Mr. Elmarsy’s remarks last month sparked widespread condemnation and triggered a review by the university’s dean of science, George Dixon.  “These statements are in my view entirely unacceptable and inconsistent with the values of inclusiveness and tolerance for which the University of Waterloo stands,” Dr. Dixon said in a statement yesterday.  Acknowledging Mr. Elmasry’s retraction and apology, Dr. Dixon concluded that “no formal discipline will be imposed.”  In a letter addressed to the dean, Mr. Elmasry, a computer engineering professor who is also national president of the Canadian Islamic  Congress,   wrote:   “The statements were an aberration.  It has always been a core belief of mine that killing civilians – any civilians for any cause, is an immoral act.”

National Post, November 18, 2004, page A18.