Igor Sadikov, the McGill University student under fire for his \u201cpunch a Zionist today\u201d tweet more than a month ago, resigned his remaining student government post, thereby preempting a vote by his peers on his removal.<\/p>\n
On March 8, Sadikov stepped down from his position as arts representative on the Students\u2019 Society of McGill University (SSMU) legislative council, a day before that body was set to debate a motion to impeach him. The action was \u201cfor impropriety and for violation of the provisions of the [SSMU] constitution\u201d related to the tweet.<\/p>\n
Sadikov cited \u201cpersonal reasons related to mental health\u201d for his decision to go. On Feb. 23, when the council motion was tabled, the third-year mathematics and political science student resigned from the SSMU board of directors, claiming pressure was being exerted by the university administration. He has not elaborated on his departure, and even the McGill Daily<\/em>, of which he is a former news editor and frequent contributor, could not reach him for comment. He also didn\u2019t comment about the resignation on his social media accounts.<\/p>\n It was on his personal Twitter account on Feb. 6 that Sadikov posted the infamous tweet, for which he apologized, calling it an ill-considered joke. While he is anti-Zionist, Sadikov described himself as Jewish and noted that his parents are Zionists, and he vowed to gain a better understanding of differing views on the political philosophy.<\/p>\n Nevertheless, pro-Israel groups on and off campus continued to call for his ouster, decrying the tweet as hateful and an incitement to violence, and they were unconvinced Sadikov had shown true remorse.<\/p>\n Both the Daily<\/em> and another student newspaper, the McGill Tribune<\/em>, reported that Sadikov\u2019s March 8 resignation came days after allegations that he had been psychologically abusive in a relationship with another McGill student.<\/p>\n The day following his resignation, SSMU president Ben Ger resigned, citing personal reasons. Two other directors have also left. At press time, the SSMU was in the midst of executive elections.<\/p>\n On Feb. 22, the Arts Undergraduate Society voted not to oust Sadikov, while, nine days prior, the board of directors defeated an impeachment motion, but did formally censure Sadikov. On Feb. 15, following a meeting convened by McGill principal Suzanne Fortier, the SSMU executive \u201crecommended\u201d that Sadikov stand down.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, names continue to be added to an online petition demanding that Sadikov be expelled from McGill for incitement to violence. It was launched last month by Montrealer Murray Levine, who identifies himself as an activist and fundraiser who attended McGill.<\/p>\n By March 10, there were more than 2,000 signatures. The majority appear to be from outside the McGill community. Levine said that, when 3,000 names are collected, the petition will be presented to Fortier.<\/p>\n