Sunday, June 7, 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

Tourism to kick off once again for Canada

Tourism to kick off once again for Canada
The World Travel and Tourism Council says a return of overseas visitors to Canada's biggest cities will fuel a big rebound in Canada's travel and tourism sector this year. It's predicting the industry will pump 162.6-billion dollars into the economy, up more than 17 per cent from last year.

Tourism to kick off once again for Canada

NDP names, Ravi Parmar, as candidate in by-election to fill seat held by ex-premier Horgan

NDP names, Ravi Parmar, as candidate in by-election to fill seat held by ex-premier Horgan
It issued a release saying Parmar oversaw the largest expansion in the board's history while working alongside Horgan, who stepped down as premier last year and officially resigned his legislature seat in March.

NDP names, Ravi Parmar, as candidate in by-election to fill seat held by ex-premier Horgan

Suspect facing 7 gun related charges: Richmond RCMP

Suspect facing 7 gun related charges: Richmond RCMP
RCMP in B-C says one person is facing seven gun-related charges, including possession of a loaded firearm and careless storage of a firearm after the search. Police say drug-related charges are pending and the suspect has been released on bail.

Suspect facing 7 gun related charges: Richmond RCMP

Delta Police investigate home invasion

Delta Police investigate home invasion
The Delta Police Department says officers responded to a call on Friday in the 43-hundred block of Cormorant Drive in Tsawwessen. Two people who had been assaulted during the home invasion were taken to the hospital with injuries.

Delta Police investigate home invasion

Father and son stabbed at Surrey Memorial Hospital on Saturday, charges laid

Father and son stabbed at Surrey Memorial Hospital on Saturday, charges laid
On Saturday, at 10:28 p.m., police received a report of a stabbing at Surrey Memorial Hospital. The initial report indicated that two people had sustained injuries and the suspect was being detained by hospital security.

Father and son stabbed at Surrey Memorial Hospital on Saturday, charges laid

Man and woman face murder charges in death of Maple Ridge man Surinderjit Singh

Man and woman face murder charges in death of Maple Ridge man Surinderjit Singh
The province's Integrated Homicide Investigation Team says 33-year-old Kimberley Buitenweg and 44-year-old Joseph McWilliam were arrested on Friday and charged with second-degree murder in the death of Surinderjit “Jack” Singh. 

Man and woman face murder charges in death of Maple Ridge man Surinderjit Singh