York University issued a warning: if the student unions at the institution do not retract their collective statement regarding the conflict between Israel and Hamas or sufficiently defend it, they risk losing their relationship with the university.

The university's statement, which was released to the public on Friday, addressed "the significant and ongoing harm caused by the statement [of the groups]," which declares "solidarity with the Palestinian people" against "the settler colonial" apartheid state of so-called Israel."

The statement from the student unions referred to the October 7 attack on Israelis as "a powerful act of resistance."

The statement dated October 12 partially stated that "since 1948, the Palestinian people have been systematically displaced from their lands and homes as a result of the violence, siege, and genocide imposed by the state." "Our unions remain steadfast in our support for the Palestinian people's struggle for self-determination and liberation."

Furthermore, student-funded groups criticized Israel for its airstrikes on Gaza, stating they came in response to "Palestinian resistance."

York University stated in its announcement that the unions must retract the statement, issue an apology, acknowledge the impact of the statement on campus, and remove all union executives by 5 p.m. on October 25.

Alternatively, the university said that the student unions could contest the assertion that the statement violates York’s regulations regarding student organizations by the same deadline.

If it is determined that the statement violated the school’s anti-harassment policy, York indicated that it may impose sanctions, the severest of which would be severing ties with the violating union.

Additionally, the Jewish campus coalition previously condemned the statement issued by the student unions, describing the remarks as “blatantly biased” and showing “a severe and intentional disregard not only for Jews but for all students affected by the horrific tragedies that have occurred and continue to occur.”

Neither the York Student Union nor the York Graduate Students' Association or the Glendon College Student Union have retracted the statement.