Lethbridge professor accused of anti-Semitism alleges smear campaign as school looks to terminate
Tenured professor denies responsibility for anti-Semitic post on his Facebook page
A Lethbridge, Alta., professor alleged to be promoting conspiracy theories is defending himself and his job following calls by a Jewish advocacy group to have him fired after a violent, anti-Semitic post appeared on his Facebook page.
Anthony Hall says there is a smear campaign against him.
"I'm being slandered, the University of Lethbridge is being slandered," Hall told CBC Radio's Calgary Eyeopener.
"Right now, it's on my shoulders to defend the University of Lethbridge and to defend for all the faculty in Canada, the principle of academic freedom, because that responsibility has been abandoned by the administration at my university and it's been left for me and it's appropriate that I do so."
Hall is responding to questions about an anti-Semitic Facebook post made on his page by a third party and to allegations that he uses his academic credentials to deny the Holocaust and promote various conspiracy theories.
When he's not teaching, Hall co-hosts a YouTube show called "False Flag Weekly News," which allegedly promotes the notion of a Zionist conspiracy to foster hatred of Muslims through "false flag" terror events, beginning with the Sept. 11 attacks.
Hall also runs his own news website.
B'nai Brith Canada is calling to have him fired.
The advocacy group alleges that Hall is a proponent of an "open debate on the Holocaust," and that Hall has accused Israel of "playing a key role" in the Sept. 11 attacks.
Hall said he had nothing to do with a Facebook post that showed an Orthodox Jew in a headlock accompanied by text calling for the extermination of all Jews. He claims he is being targeted by people who disagree with his work.
'Mutually agreed termination' requested
The professor of liberal education and globalization studies says he met with University of Lethbridge leaders last week to discuss his future.
The university said in a statement "we have requested that Dr. Hall enter into a discussion about a mutually agreed termination of Dr. Hall's appointment to the university."
Hall was told the university could terminate his position, if he agrees. He said he has no such intention.
The school is investigating several complaints against the tenured professor, who has taught for 26 years.
With files from The Calgary Eyeopener