British Columbia Premier David Eby says he heard “devastating” stories of antisemitism in the Jewish community’s interactions with public servants and has promised to “eliminate” the issue.
Eby met with leaders of several Jewish groups on Friday and stated after the meeting that he believes people from the community have experienced antisemitism from public servants.
The premier mentioned that even though none of the cases shared by the Jewish groups have been reported to the province, based on his experience as a human rights lawyer, he understands that people may be “extremely scared” to come forward.
“If you have had experiences like this, bring forward your concerns,” Eby said. “It will be investigated and they will be addressed, and we will eliminate these issues.”
Regarding the province’s directive to public servants on speaking on topics such as the Israel-Hamas conflict, Eby was resolute.
“The message for the public service is very clear: You need to leave your politics at home.”
In a joint letter issued after the meeting, the Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver, the Rabbinical Association of Vancouver and the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs stated the groups want to see more tangible actions to address increasing antisemitism in B.C.
The groups have criticized Eby’s government since former BC New Democrat cabinet minister Selina Robinson quit the party on Wednesday, citing antisemitism among her colleagues and indifference to the problem.
“We appreciate the first step taken by the premier today,” the group’s letter said. “Now he must make amends for the harm he has caused and take action to address the alarming increase in antisemitism in B.C. with concrete action.”
The letter mentioned that the treatment of Robinson has “sent a chilling message that antisemitism is tolerated in B.C.,” and has added to the Jewish community’s feeling of vulnerability after Hamas’s deadly attacks on Israel in October.
“History has repeatedly shown us that hatred targeting the Jewish community does not remain directed at Jews, but spreads across society like a virus,” the letter said.
Robinson resigned from her post as the minister of post-secondary education last month after stating modern Israel was founded on “a poor piece of land” in late January.
The comments caused anger from pro-Palestinian groups, who labeled the remarks racist and Islamophobic.
Robinson, who is Jewish, cited antisemitism in the NDP caucus in her resignation letter. She is accusing seven former colleagues of antisemitism or antisemitic comments.
Eby has stated he disagreed with Robinson’s description of what she saw, but mentioned on Friday that the accounts provided by Jewish leaders were so serious that they must be handled.
The premier mentioned he was informed of students being asked by a grade-school teacher to self-identify as Jewish, then instructed to explain “what Israel was doing in Gaza to the entire class.”
In another instance, the premier states a student was asked to wait in the hall for “creating a disturbance” after challenging a teacher’s opinion on the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
“These are very upsetting events for parents who expect that when their child goes to school, the child will be safe and supported,” Eby stated.
He stated that he has promised the Jewish community in B.C. to defend those who have faced antisemitism when dealing with provincial employees, and is urging anyone with complaints to come forward.
Vancouver police reported in January that the Israel-Hamas conflict led to a “record-breaking” year for protests in 2023, while also sparking incidents of antisemitism and anti-Muslim actions.
