Thursday, June 18, 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

Traffic delays expected near Vancouver International Airport during Black Friday sales event

Traffic delays expected near Vancouver International Airport during Black Friday sales event
Richmond RCMP are recommending those traveling to the Vancouver International Airport give themselves extra time to catch their flights this coming weekend.  Mounties will have additional officers on the roadways around the mall and airport to assist with traffic flow. 

Traffic delays expected near Vancouver International Airport during Black Friday sales event

Surrey RCMP need the public's help in locating missing woman Jasvir Parmar

Surrey RCMP need the public's help in locating missing woman Jasvir Parmar
Jasvir Parmar was last seen on November 21, 2022 in the 6600-block of 133rd Street. Her last contact with family was in the early morning hours on Tuesday.  Since then, efforts to find her have been unsuccessful. Police and family are concerned for Parmar’s well-being.

Surrey RCMP need the public's help in locating missing woman Jasvir Parmar

Sajjan mum on human rights in Qatar visit

Sajjan mum on human rights in Qatar visit
Sajjan attended the World Cup on behalf of the Trudeau government, where the Canadian men's team is competing for the first time in years. He met with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and local officials.  

Sajjan mum on human rights in Qatar visit

B.C. coroner holds inquest into suicide of officer

B.C. coroner holds inquest into suicide of officer
The statement of claim says B.C.'s police complaints commissioner asked the New Westminster Police Department to investigate the claims and it recommended charges against the officer who was alleged to have extorted Chan.

B.C. coroner holds inquest into suicide of officer

Abbotsford Police seize drugs and guns worth nearly 300K

Abbotsford Police seize drugs and guns worth nearly 300K
On November 10th, search warrants were executed at two residences within Abbotsford and Surrey. 3 men in their twenties were arrested and released.  All three males arrested in this investigation are Abbotsford residents associated with the Lower Mainland Gang Conflict. 

Abbotsford Police seize drugs and guns worth nearly 300K

B.C. Premier Eby pledges $230M in police funding

B.C. Premier Eby pledges $230M in police funding
Eby said the money will be used to fill vacancies in rural RCMP detachments and regional units, as well as to hire more officers for specialized units such as major crime, the sexual exploitation of children unit and money laundering.

B.C. Premier Eby pledges $230M in police funding