Sunday, May 17, 2026
ADVT 
National

Eby deplores 'most hateful' speech praising Hamas attack, as UBC protest camp begins

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 29 Apr, 2024 03:21 PM
  • Eby deplores 'most hateful' speech praising Hamas attack, as UBC protest camp begins

Charlotte Kates of the Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network told the rally outside the Vancouver Art Gallery on Friday that the attack was "heroic and brave." 

Eby said the comments about the attack, that killed about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, were "the most hateful" he could imagine.

"Celebrating the murder, the rape of innocent people attending a music festival, it's awful," Eby said at an unrelated news conference on Monday. 

"It's reprehensible, and it shouldn't take place in British Columbia. There is clearly an element of some individuals using an international tragedy to promote hate that's completely unacceptable."

Kates and Samidoun did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Eby also remarked on an encampment by pro-Palestinian protesters that began at the University of B.C. on Monday. 

Similar camps have appeared on campuses across the United States, as well as at McGill University in Montreal and the University of Ottawa.

At McGill, activists have set up dozens of tents. The university said Monday morning it had seen video evidence of some protesters using "unequivocally antisemitic language and intimidating behaviour" during the protest.

The UBC camp included about 20 tents on MacInnes Field by noon Monday.

Eby said a university campus, while a protected space for free speech, should foster a safe space for students of all backgrounds, especially for Jewish students during a time they feel "particularly alone on campuses and need additional support to feel safe."

"I have no reason to doubt that the leadership, both student and administration, at UBC will find that balance between ensuring students are safe and making sure that atmosphere of free exchange of ideas can continue to take place on campus."

In a series of messages posted on social media platform X, UBC protest organizers have asked supporters to bring tents and sandbags, as well as food, water, first aid and generators.

Naisha Khan, a spokeswoman for the protest camp, said tents started going up at 5 a.m. Monday, with attendees from UBC, Simon Fraser University and Emily Carr University of Art and Design.

Khan said they wouldn't leave until UBC supported the Palestinian right to "resistance," and the right of return to what is now Israel.

In a written response, UBC spokesman Matthew Ramsey said the school is monitoring the situation and keeping in contact with the RCMP.

Protests must "be taken with respect for others and within the boundaries of university policy and the law," he said.

"We also remind everyone that hate and intolerance have no place at UBC," Ramsey said. "The university must be a place of reasoned debate where conflicting views can peacefully coexist."

Before Eby, the Vancouver Art Gallery rally had drawn condemnation from Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim, who called it a "celebration of terrorism and antisemitism."

Sim said in a post on X on Sunday that people who "spew this vile hatred" were not welcome in the city.

Liberal member for Vancouver Granville Taleeb Noormohamed said on X that "glorifying Oct. 7 is unacceptable" and "does nothing to promote peace," while B.C. Opposition Leader Kevin Falcon called the speech a "celebration of the heinous murder of Jews."

MORE National ARTICLES

VPD release suspect photo in assault

VPD release suspect photo in assault
Vancouver police have released a photo of a man who they say assaulted a woman and then pointed a gun at a group of people at a SkyTrain station in late August.  Police say officers who responded to the incident the evening of August 24th were unable to locate the man or the victims.

VPD release suspect photo in assault

Runaway barge floats in English Bay

Runaway barge floats in English Bay
People in Vancouver may have experienced déjà vu this weekend as a runaway barge floated in waters of English Bay before it was brought under control. The empty barge had broken free of its mooring buoy and a video posted to YouTube shows it floating just a few metres away from shore yesterday.

Runaway barge floats in English Bay

Premier David Eby marks Transgender Day of Remembrance in BC

Premier David Eby marks Transgender Day of Remembrance in BC
B-C Premier David Eby is marking the Transgender Day of Remembrance with a statement promising to recommit to the fight against transphobia and other hate-driven violence. Eby says the province is raising the transgender flag on the legislature lawn today in support of the community.

Premier David Eby marks Transgender Day of Remembrance in BC

Did you lose half a kilogram of cocaine? Police in B.C. would like to help

Did you lose half a kilogram of cocaine? Police in B.C. would like to help
Police in Mission say they are seeking the owner of half a kilogram of cocaine that was hidden in a public restroom's ceiling and anyone who wants to claim the drugs should bring "proof of purchase." RCMP Cpl. Harrison Mohr says officers will be happy to set up an interview at the owner's convenience.

Did you lose half a kilogram of cocaine? Police in B.C. would like to help

Mayor of Surrey, B.C., announces constitutional challenge over policing

Mayor of Surrey, B.C., announces constitutional challenge over policing
Brenda Locke, who opposes the transition, says an amended court petition will be filed today, after the city already requested a judicial review of the province's directive to proceed with the switch away from the RCMP. 

Mayor of Surrey, B.C., announces constitutional challenge over policing

Federal NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh blasts Trudeau, Poilievre at B.C. convention

Federal NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh blasts Trudeau, Poilievre at B.C. convention
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has lost touch with the struggles of Canadians, while Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre only pretends to care about regular people, federal New Democrat Leader Jagmeet Singh said Sunday. Singh took political swings at his two leadership counterparts during a speech to more than 700 delegates attending the British Columbia NDP convention.  

Federal NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh blasts Trudeau, Poilievre at B.C. convention