Doug Ford says anti-Israel encampments at universities 'need to move'

TORONTO — Ontario's premier called for anti-Israel protest encampments to move off university campuses Monday even as one Toronto university suggested it was making progress in its talks with demonstrators.

Premier Doug Ford said he is "not in favour" of the encampments, which have cropped up on several campuses in recent weeks, adding he's getting messages from parents expressing concerns that their kids will be harassed or bullied because of them.

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"They need to move. The university has to move these people along," Ford told reporters at the Ontario legislature.

The premier said some of what he's seen and heard about the protests is "unacceptable."

"I can't stand some of the nasty stuff I've been seeing out there," he said.

Ford's comments came as the University of Toronto said it sees "a way forward" after meeting with student protesters involved with an encampment on its campus.

Though the university initially gave protesters a deadline of 10 p.m. last Thursday to leave, administrators later said they wouldn't remove the encampment if its activities remained peaceful.

Sandy Welsh, the university's vice-provost of students, said in a statement Monday morning that members of the administration met with student representatives for the encampment over the weekend and the discussions "have been constructive."

The representatives and administrators are working together to address concerns about health and safety, as well as reports of threatening or hateful language, she said.

The encampment set up in an area known as King's College Circle last Thursday has seen protesters call on the university to disclose ties with the Israeli government and divest from Israeli companies.

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