Monday, June 8, 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

One person dead in Hwy 1 Fraser Valley crash

One person dead in Hwy 1 Fraser Valley crash
Highway 1 through the Fraser Valley has reopened after one person died in a crash involving several commercial vehicles. Police say it happened yesterday afternoon in the eastbound lanes just west of Hope.

One person dead in Hwy 1 Fraser Valley crash

Taljinder Khangura of Surrey wins $500,000 in Lotto 6/49 draw

Taljinder Khangura of Surrey wins $500,000 in Lotto 6/49 draw
“Everyone was so happy!” The Surrey resident purchased and validated the winning ticket at the lottery kiosk at Scottsdale Centre in Delta. Khangura plans to bring her family to Mexico for a vacation. 

Taljinder Khangura of Surrey wins $500,000 in Lotto 6/49 draw

Germany president's visit creates rare opportunity for business: Greater Vancouver Board of Trade CEO

Germany president's visit creates rare opportunity for business: Greater Vancouver Board of Trade CEO
Bridgitte Anderson hosted a roundtable discussion Tuesday headlined by German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. The discussion included about 20 delegates from both Germany and Canada.

Germany president's visit creates rare opportunity for business: Greater Vancouver Board of Trade CEO

Bains appointment to Rogers prompts House committee to invite lobbying commissioner

Bains appointment to Rogers prompts House committee to invite lobbying commissioner
Former Liberal MP Navdeep Bains was the minister of industry for more than five years until he left government for the private sector in 2021. He was among several new appointments made to Rogers executive leadership team last week after Bains cleared his new job with both the lobbying and ethics commissioners in Ottawa.

Bains appointment to Rogers prompts House committee to invite lobbying commissioner

More Canadians ask for help to get out of Sudan: Joly

More Canadians ask for help to get out of Sudan: Joly
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said earlier this week Canada had a C-17 military plane in the region to help airlift Canadians out but so far has relied on other countries to find space on their planes or boats. On Tuesday Joly told Parliament 1,700 people had registered and 550 had asked for help.  

More Canadians ask for help to get out of Sudan: Joly

Union says government not budging on bargaining position or public service wage offer

Union says government not budging on bargaining position or public service wage offer
Treasury Board President Mona Fortier says in a written statement today that she wants to make an agreement quickly, but the government won't sign an agreement that Canadians can't afford. The parties remain at the negotiating table while the strike continues.

Union says government not budging on bargaining position or public service wage offer