Wednesday, June 17, 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

Slide keeps residents out of Campbell River condos

Slide keeps residents out of Campbell River condos
An evacuation order was issued for the properties in the 700 block of Island Highway South after the slides came down Tuesday. No one was hurt, but the mud and debris demolished a ground-level covered parking area behind one of the condos.    

Slide keeps residents out of Campbell River condos

More universities reviewing Turpel-Lafond degrees

More universities reviewing Turpel-Lafond degrees
The Indigenous Women's Collective says in a statement that the honours should be withdrawn because the former law professor "stole" the identity and lived experiences of Indigenous women.

More universities reviewing Turpel-Lafond degrees

Hootsuite lays off 7% of staff, names new CEO

Hootsuite lays off 7% of staff, names new CEO
Social media technology company Hootsuite Inc. is laying off seven per cent of its staff in its third job cut in the last year and replacing its chief executive. The Vancouver company says the latest round of layoffs amounts to about 70 people and is meant to position the business for the long term.    

Hootsuite lays off 7% of staff, names new CEO

B.C. officer remembered as genuine, dedicated

B.C. officer remembered as genuine, dedicated
Nelson Police Service Chief Const. Donovan Fisher announced Wade Tittemore's promotion at his funeral service today, saying they had already planned to move the constable up to their general investigation section before he died. Tittemore, who was 43, died while off duty when an avalanche rolled over him and a co-worker Jan. 9 while they were skiing in the backcountry in southeastern B.C.

B.C. officer remembered as genuine, dedicated

B.C. signs 'historic' deal with First Nation

B.C. signs 'historic' deal with First Nation
The agreement, signed Tuesday with the Blueberry River First Nations in northeastern B.C., includes a $200-million restoration fund and timelines for coming up with plans to manage watersheds and oil and gas activities in parts of the First Nations' claim area, which covers four per cent of the province.

B.C. signs 'historic' deal with First Nation

Minorities more educated but paid less: StatCan

Minorities more educated but paid less: StatCan
Statistics Canada reports that visible minorities are generally more likely than their white counterparts to earn a university degree but less likely to find a job that pays as well. Based on data from the 2021 and 2016 censuses show that two years after graduating, visible minorities reported lower employment earnings and lower rates of unionization and pension plan coverage.

Minorities more educated but paid less: StatCan