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A video circulating on social media shows a graduating McGill University student making what appear to be spitting motions at university officials at a convocation ceremony, with the crowd cheering the person on.
After a name is called out, the student unfurls a sign that reads: “Divest from death.”
The student then appears to make spitting motions toward two officials on the stage, including McGill president Deep Saini.
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Applause and cheers can be heard from the crowd.
The incident happened on June 3 during an Arts graduation ceremony.
Contacted by the Gazette Friday, McGill said it was looking into the incident.
The university published a video of the convocation ceremony. It shows the student arriving on the stage but does not show them unfurling the banner or making motions toward officials.
McGill is holding graduation events at the Bell Centre this month.
Convocation normally takes place on its downtown campus, but it was moved after pro-Palestinian protesters set up an encampment on April 27. They are demanding the university divest from companies linked to Israel.
On Thursday, pro-Palestinian protesters occupied an office at a McGill administration building.
Outside the building, riot police used tear gas and shields against protesters carrying sections of scaffolding as a makeshift barricade. Windows were smashed and graffiti was sprayed on university property.
Montreal police said they arrested 15 people in the wake of what they described as the “illegal” occupation of the building.
The Israel-Hamas war erupted in October.
The conflict started on Oct. 7 when about 1,200 Israelis were killed in an attack from the Gaza Strip by Hamas, described by the Canadian government as “a radical Islamist-nationalist terrorist organization.”
Since then, Israel has repeatedly attacked Gaza, with the Palestinian death toll surpassing 36,000, according to the Health Ministry of Hamas-run Gaza.
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