University of Manitoba valedictory speech criticized by major donor

This is valedictorian Jim Newman of EU of M Rady School of Medicine. In a 9 minute speech, he spent about two minutes talking about the war in Gaza. And so I ask that you join me in calling for an immediate and lasting ceasefire in Palestine. Newman criticized Canadian medical organizations like Doctors Manitoba for what he called their deafening silence over calls for a cease-fire. I'm sure that some of you here today are worried that you might face censure for speaking out about the genocidal war that Israel is waging on the people of Palestine, that it could jeopardize your career before it's even begun. Dr. Peter Nickerson put out a statement the next day saying he was disappointed in the address and calling it disrespectful. The businessman whose $30 million donation led to his name being attached to the school. Says the university's response was lukewarm. In a letter, Ernest Rady said those words are not political opinion, they are hate speech and they are lies. CBC asked for an interview with Brady. He said his letter stands on its own. Brady said when he donates to an institution, he normally makes a point not to tell it what to do, but in this case, he felt the need to speak out. He demanded the university take down the video of Newman's speech and denounce it as lies hurtful to the Jewish community. Currently, the video is no longer available on the university's YouTube channel. The valedictorian declined an interview about reaction to his speech but sent a statement, part of it says. It is frankly incredible to me that advocating for a cessation of hostilities is seen as not only controversial, but somehow hateful. Criticism of the actions of the Israeli government does not, in and of itself constitute anti-Semitism. We spoke to Doug White, an American philanthropy advisor who has written about the nonprofit sector. He says both the valedictorian and donor have the right to express their views. Now the donor and others could be very upset, but to demand that the university take down the video, I feel like that's that's not productive. In a statement, Brady School of Medicine Dean Doctor Peter Nickerson acknowledged taking down the video, saying that Ernest Brady was not the only person who complained. The Dean said no decision has been made about how the university will handle future events. Cameron McClain, CBC News, Winnipeg.