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

B.C.'s Terminal 2 Roberts Bank project gets federal approval; 370 binding conditions

B.C.'s Terminal 2 Roberts Bank project gets federal approval; 370 binding conditions
The Canada Pacific Gateway area is the country's most important trade corridor, with more than $275 billion in trade passing through the port authority each year, it said in a statement. The project is a three-berth marine container terminal located at Roberts Bank in Delta, B.C., about 35 kilometres south of Vancouver.

B.C.'s Terminal 2 Roberts Bank project gets federal approval; 370 binding conditions

Police investigate theft of more than $20M of gold, goods at Toronto Pearson Airport

Police investigate theft of more than $20M of gold, goods at Toronto Pearson Airport
The Peel police airport division has been leading the investigation. Police have not revealed any information about potential suspects or say which airline shipped the cargo or where the gold was headed.

Police investigate theft of more than $20M of gold, goods at Toronto Pearson Airport

Wind warnings and power outages expected for coastal BC

Wind warnings and power outages expected for coastal BC
People living along the central coast, most of coastal Vancouver Island, the southern Gulf Islands and Sunshine Coast should expect strong winds and potential power outages today.  

Wind warnings and power outages expected for coastal BC

Free Day pass program being offered to 3 BC parks

Free Day pass program being offered to 3 BC parks
Beginning May 6th, a reserved day pass will be needed to visit Joffre Lakes Provincial Park, about 30 kilometres east of Pemberton. The program expands on June 14th when reserved passes will also be needed for Golden Ears Provincial Park and specific trailhead parking lots in Garibaldi Provincial Park.  

Free Day pass program being offered to 3 BC parks

Organizations urge Province to create housing roundtable to tackle the housing crisis

Organizations urge Province to create housing roundtable to tackle the housing crisis
They say including housing experts — along with government and Indigenous leaders — in the development of housing policy will ensure a more thorough review and head off unintended consequences of any new legislation.  

Organizations urge Province to create housing roundtable to tackle the housing crisis

New West Police working on action plan in response to recent shooting

New West Police working on action plan in response to recent shooting
One man was hurt and two people are in custody after police say a suspect approached a group, pulled out a gun and fired several times before fleeing. Chief Dave Jansen says in a statement that, in light of other recent events in the downtown core, it's time to act because he says he's been told people feel unsafe in the area.

New West Police working on action plan in response to recent shooting