Tuesday, June 16, 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

Alberta's former top doctor hired by B.C.

Alberta's former top doctor hired by B.C.
A statement from the Ministry of Health says Dr. Andrew Larder, who previously served as a medical health officer at both Fraser and Interior Health, joins Hinshaw, and will also be on temporary assignment over the next several months.

Alberta's former top doctor hired by B.C.

Drug users say the 'fight continues' in B.C.

Drug users say the 'fight continues' in B.C.
The meeting at the office of the Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users (VANDU) on the first day of the new policy began with a man handing out "know your rights" cards. They say people aged 18 and over carrying up to 2.5 grams of opioids, cocaine, methamphetamine and MDMA, or ecstasy, for their own use will not have those drugs confiscated.

Drug users say the 'fight continues' in B.C.

Vancouver home sales to remain flat, forecast says

Vancouver home sales to remain flat, forecast says
While the current downturn has resulted in a price decline of about 10 per cent, the forecast says steady population growth in Metro Vancouver will underpin prices and maintain or even increase values. It says the average home price this year for apartments, attached and detached homes is expected to climb slightly to $1.2 million, a 1.4 per cent increase.    

Vancouver home sales to remain flat, forecast says

U.S. launches Round 2 in dairy dispute with Canada

U.S. launches Round 2 in dairy dispute with Canada
U.S. trade officials and dairy industry advocates say a large share of those quotas were being allocated to processors rather than producers. The U.S. says the federal government amended its policies, but that the new procedures remain "inconsistent" with the terms of the agreement, known as USMCA in the U.S. and CUSMA in Canada.

U.S. launches Round 2 in dairy dispute with Canada

Lower mainland residents wake up to snow on Tuesday morning

Lower mainland residents wake up to snow on Tuesday morning
Snow created slick conditions on the roads and caused delays for commuters in traffic. There were also crashes on many routes of Vancouver and South of the Fraser. Cars got stuck up the hill and there were major delays in transit throughout the day.

Lower mainland residents wake up to snow on Tuesday morning

Experts call for enforcement of new LTC standards

Experts call for enforcement of new LTC standards
The Health Standards Organization released updated standards Tuesday that say residents should get at least four hours of direct care every day. The standards from the panel of experts at the non-profit standards organization also say those who work in those residences must be paid more.

Experts call for enforcement of new LTC standards