Saturday, May 30, 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

Industrial board warns union bosses not to backtrack on new B.C. port deal

Industrial board warns union bosses not to backtrack on new B.C. port deal
The board's order issued Sunday also says the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada must hold a ratification vote on the deal with employers no later than Friday, and restricts both sides from commenting to the media, beyond a single joint-statement announcing the agreement.  

Industrial board warns union bosses not to backtrack on new B.C. port deal

No charges for dog handler

No charges for dog handler
A dog handler with the Abbotsford Police Department will not face charges linked to an arrest more than two years ago where the suspect was seriously injured. The Independent Investigations Office looked into the March 2021 arrest and determined the officer may have committed offences.  

No charges for dog handler

Vancouver collision kills 1 and sends 7 to hospital

Vancouver collision kills 1 and sends 7 to hospital
Investigators believe the fatal collision occurred at 1:55 a.m. Monday, when a red Cadillac struck a taxi, then broad-sided a ride-share vehicle at the intersection of Main Street and East 12 Avenue, in Mount Pleasant. The force of the collision killed the 26-year-old Uber driver, who was alone in his vehicle. The taxi driver and two passengers were taken to hospital for precautionary reasons.

Vancouver collision kills 1 and sends 7 to hospital

Indian man admits smuggling people from his country into US via Canada

Indian man admits smuggling people from his country into US via Canada
A 40-year-old Indian national living in Canada has pleaded guilty to smuggling several Indian nationals from Canada into the US for profit. Simranjit 'Shally' Singh admitted to six counts of alien smuggling and three counts of conspiracy to commit alien smuggling during an appearance in Albany, New York on Friday.  

Indian man admits smuggling people from his country into US via Canada

Mom in B.C. Amber Alert charged with abduction after children found safe in Alberta

Mom in B.C. Amber Alert charged with abduction after children found safe in Alberta
Police arrested two adults and detained a third during the recovery of the missing children, and the two arrested individuals — the children's 45-year-old mother and her 53-year-old boyfriend — have been charged with variations of different abduction charges.

Mom in B.C. Amber Alert charged with abduction after children found safe in Alberta

Youngster dies after tree falls at provincial campsite in B.C.'s Okanagan region

Youngster dies after tree falls at provincial campsite in B.C.'s Okanagan region
A child has been killed in British Columbia while visiting a provincial park in the Okanagan, south of Peachland. The age of the victim was not released and BC Parks hasn't said what might have caused the tree to come down.  

Youngster dies after tree falls at provincial campsite in B.C.'s Okanagan region