Tuesday, June 30, 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

Man arrested after 3 women assaulted near Vancouver Public Library

Man arrested after 3 women assaulted near Vancouver Public Library
“The woman who was grabbed by the leg left the area before the police arrived, and investigators would like to speak with her,” says Cst Jason Doucette. “There could also be other people who were assaulted in the area who have not yet come forward. Please make a report if you’ve been a victim of crime.”

Man arrested after 3 women assaulted near Vancouver Public Library

3 dead in a semi-truck collision near Golden, Hwy 1 re-open after 37 hours

3 dead in a semi-truck collision near Golden, Hwy 1 re-open after 37 hours
The deceased have been identified as as 25-year-old Tanner Liefting, 30-year-old Brandon Richard Johnson, and 34-year-old Jagsir Singh Gill. Johnson and Liefting were in the same vehicle and were both from Chilliwack, while Gill was from Calgary.

3 dead in a semi-truck collision near Golden, Hwy 1 re-open after 37 hours

Charges laid in Surrey shooting

Charges laid in Surrey shooting
After an extensive three-month investigation, IHIT investigators identified Bradley Minchin as a suspect in the homicide of Mr. Brown. A second degree murder charge has been laid against Minchin in relation to the homicide of Mr. Brown. 

Charges laid in Surrey shooting

Coquihalla crash leaves one dead, one injured

Coquihalla crash leaves one dead, one injured
The driver of the second transport truck, a man from Winnipeg, was trapped and died as a result of the collision. The co-driver in the second transport truck, also a man from Winnipeg, extricated himself from the cab but not before sustaining serious, life-threatening injuries.

Coquihalla crash leaves one dead, one injured

Higher COVID-19 death rates in racialized people: Statistics Canada

Higher COVID-19 death rates in racialized people: Statistics Canada
South-Asians and Chinese people also had higher mortality rates than non-racialized people. The study also found a person’s socioeconomic situation played a role in COVID-19 deaths. People in low income, overcrowded housing and apartments had higher odds of dying from COVID-19.

Higher COVID-19 death rates in racialized people: Statistics Canada

WATCH: Darpan Cruiser In Your City Showcases Spectacular Events in the Lower Mainland

WATCH: Darpan Cruiser In Your City Showcases Spectacular Events in the Lower Mainland
Darpan Cruiser In Your City brings you highlights from some incredible events that took place over the weekend.  The events featured the best of what the Lower Mainland has to offer in terms of entertainment, culture, music and much more.

WATCH: Darpan Cruiser In Your City Showcases Spectacular Events in the Lower Mainland