Concordia University closed its downtown campus during the October 7 protests at Montreal academic institutions after anti-Israel activists were arrested at the school with incendiary devices and a metal bar.
The two non-student activists were arrested following a disruption of a class and midterm exam, according to a statement by Concordia President and Vice-Chancellor Graham Carr.
Carr said the decision was also influenced by the expectation that hundreds of protesters, organized primarily by Students for Palestine's Honour and Resistance (SPHR) chapters, and counter-protests would gather outside the campus.
"In the last two years, we have seen protests on campus but have never been forced to enact such preventive measures," said Carr. "It is with profound sadness that this decision was made. Acts of intimidation and violence have no place in our society, and particularly not in institutions that centre around teaching and learning."
Carr expressed that he was certain that many students were "fed up with the behaviour and disrespect some exhibit toward the university."
SPHR, formerly Solidarity for Palestinian Human Rights, organized the cross-institution academic protest at Concordia, McGill University, University of Montreal (UDEM), and Dawson College to mark two years since the beginning of the Hamas-Israel war.
Students to take action in support of Palestine.
"After two years of continuous genocide against the people of Gaza, it is time for students to take action in support of Palestine and its resistance," SPHR McGill said on Instagram on October 1.
Protesters burned an Israeli flag on the McGill campus, which SPHR said was a symbol of rejection of Zionism at the institution.
B'Nai Brith Canada said on X on Friday that Concordia had been negligent to allow "armed external agitators" to enter the campus.
"It is the university’s responsibility to ensure the safety and well-being of its students and to provide an environment conducive to their academic success," said B'nai Brith Canada.