A growing area of pro-Israeli volunteer activity on social networks and the internet is the identification and exposure of officials who support Palestinian terror in various countries and positions. One such successful campaign was led by JewishEdmonton, a group within the Jewish community of Edmonton, Canada.

The group successfully lobbied to have Samantha Pearson, director of the University of Alberta’s Sexual Assault Center, dismissed after she organized a student pro-Palestinian action on campus and signed an open letter condemning Israel for its military operation in the Gaza Strip. The public outrage that followed JewishEdmonton’s publication of screenshots of the open letter led to Pearson’s immediate dismissal.

In response, University of Alberta President Bill Flanagan clarified that the new leadership at the Sexual Assault Center would ensure that the university’s commitments were met. He also made it clear that Pearson’s personal views did not reflect the position of the university. Additionally, university officials stated that an event scheduled by Students for Justice in Palestine was not sanctioned or endorsed by the university. They also noted that the group was not recognized or funded by the university. The vigil associated with the group would be held on November 21st outside the University Arts Centre, with campus security and Edmonton Police ensuring safety.