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

One dead in shooting at Chilliwack, B.C. home

One dead in shooting at Chilliwack, B.C. home
When officers arrived, they found an unresponsive man with gunshot wounds, who later died in hospital. The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) has been deployed, and is working with Chilliwack RCMP.

One dead in shooting at Chilliwack, B.C. home

North Vancouver stabbing leaves a woman dead, suspect arrested: IHIT

North Vancouver stabbing leaves a woman dead, suspect arrested: IHIT
Officers arrived and located a woman suffering from injuries that appeared to be the result of a stabbing. Police and BC Ambulance Service immediately began lifesaving measures but the woman was later pronounced deceased on scene.

North Vancouver stabbing leaves a woman dead, suspect arrested: IHIT

Gauravdeep Singh of Brampton arrested for running police car off the road

Gauravdeep Singh of Brampton arrested for running police car off the road
Following the incident, an arrest warrant was issued for Singh, and he was arrested late last month. Singh has been charged with 12 offences, including theft of a motor vehicle, possession of stolen property and flight from a police officer.

Gauravdeep Singh of Brampton arrested for running police car off the road

Coquitlam RCMP is investigate 'crime spree' that started at a car dealership near Lougheed Highway

Coquitlam RCMP is investigate 'crime spree' that started at a car dealership near Lougheed Highway
The suspects fled in the stolen vehicle after there was an exchange of gunfire with responding officers. Neither the suspects or responding officers were shot. It is unknown at this time if the outstanding suspects were injured.

Coquitlam RCMP is investigate 'crime spree' that started at a car dealership near Lougheed Highway

Vancouver Police seize $3M in drugs, weapons from organized crime ring

Vancouver Police seize $3M in drugs, weapons from organized crime ring
In October, VPD investigators executed multiple search warrants, seizing 72 kilograms of the fake, fentanyl-laced pills, along with 16.5 kilograms of cocaine, 88 kilograms of cutting agents, methamphetamine, MDMA, and benzodiazepine. 

Vancouver Police seize $3M in drugs, weapons from organized crime ring

Freeland sends Ukraine $115 million from tariffs

Freeland sends Ukraine $115 million from tariffs
Canada slapped a 35 per cent tariff on most goods coming from Russia and Belarus, which has been an ally to Moscow since the invasion began in February. Freeland's office says the tariffs stem from Canadian purchases that are mostly fertilizer, tires, nickel and plywood.

Freeland sends Ukraine $115 million from tariffs