University of Toronto Dentistry Dean Steps Down Following Antisemitic Cartoon Incident
The dean of the University of Toronto's Faculty of Dentistry has voluntarily stepped aside from his position after a pair of antisemitic cartoons were discovered in a student lecture he delivered. Dr. Anil Kishen, who was appointed dean last summer, issued a public apology and is now on leave pending a formal university investigation into the matter.
Cartoons Cause Immediate Controversy and Harm
In an email sent to the dentistry faculty, Dr. Kishen acknowledged that he included two cartoon images containing discriminatory imagery in a recent lecture. He stated that he selected these images as visual analogies for academic concepts without intending to make any political statements. "I say this not as an excuse for this mistake," Kishen wrote, recognizing that the cartoons caused significant harm.
One cartoon depicted a caricature with a face painted like the Palestinian flag entangled by ropes and an Israeli flag, though the Star of David had been removed in the version used. The second image showed a stereotypical hook-nosed man relaxing in a swimming pool filled with money labeled "IMMUNITY," which was used on a slide about immunological modulation.
University Launches Investigation as Dean Apologizes
The University of Toronto confirmed that Dr. Kishen is on leave and cooperating fully with the investigation. In their official statement, the university noted that the dean reported using these images "without appreciating the antisemitic and discriminatory meanings, and their negative impact on Jewish colleagues and students and the broader learning environment."
Dr. Kishen has committed to improving his understanding of antisemitism and other forms of discrimination, and to exercising greater diligence in reviewing course materials to foster an inclusive educational atmosphere. He has offered a formal apology to both students and faculty members affected by the incident.
Broader Context of Campus Antisemitism Concerns
This incident occurs against a backdrop of increasing antisemitism on Canadian university campuses. Since the October 2023 Hamas attacks on Israel, anti-Israel activists have organized numerous demonstrations and encampments at institutions including the University of Toronto. In a July 2024 court ruling regarding U of T encampments, Superior Court Justice Markus Koehnen documented "incidents of hate speech and physical harassment of people, predominantly but not exclusively directed at people wearing kippahs or some other indicator of Jewish identity."
Jewish medical students and professionals have reported facing daily discrimination and harassment, creating what many describe as a hostile campus climate for Jewish community members.
Community Response and Calls for Change
Josh Landau of the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) told media that such incidents exacerbate the difficult environment Jewish university students already experience. "For Jewish students already navigating an increasingly hostile campus climate across Canada, this incident reinforces a painful message — that antisemitism and extreme anti-Zionist rhetoric can permeate our university classrooms," Landau stated.
Landau acknowledged that the dean's decision to step down pending investigation and offer an apology represents a positive step, but emphasized that universities must ensure all students can pursue education "free from hostility and fear." CIJA has expressed readiness to work constructively with the University of Toronto to implement meaningful changes following this incident.
Academic Background and Professional History
Dr. Anil Kishen joined the University of Toronto as an associate professor in August 2009 after six years of teaching at the National University of Singapore. He is described as a prolific researcher with numerous publications in medical journals. The second cartoon image he used has appeared in various professional contexts, including a 2013 presentation on natural hazard mitigation posted to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency website, though its antisemitic connotations were apparently overlooked in those contexts as well.
The University of Toronto investigation will determine the appropriate next steps regarding Dr. Kishen's position and what institutional changes might be necessary to prevent similar incidents in the future.
