Jewish group calls for Langara instructor to be fired over speech at pro-Palestinian rally
Natalie Knight defends comments about Hamas attack made at Vancouver rally
A Jewish group is calling for a Langara College instructor, now on leave, to be fired over a speech she made at a pro-Palestinian rally Saturday describing the Hamas attack on Oct. 7 as "amazing, brilliant."
But Natalie Knight, in a statement Friday, defended those remarks, saying she will not shy away from speaking out for the "just resistance to Israeli occupation and the genocide of Palestinians."
Knight was seen on video praising the Oct. 7 attack during a speech at the Vancouver Art Gallery on Oct. 28. A group called United in Struggle, which Knight claimed to be a member of in her speech, has posted a version of the video.
In the speech, Knight recounts a Sept. 2021 prison break by six people from a maximum security prison in the occupied West Bank. Israel, Reuters reports in a story matching Knight's description, said the men were convicted of or suspected of planning attacks on Israeli civilians but Knight called them political prisoners.
"This was a feat of determination and ingenuity only eclipsed — only eclipsed — by the amazing, brilliant offensive waged on Oct. 7," Knight said to cheers.
A statement Thursday attributed to United in Struggle called the controversy a "manufactured political firestorm" and accused groups standing with Israel of "conflating anti-Zionism with antisemitism, painting Palestinian resistance as terrorism, and attacking freedom of political expression."
"The aim of these attacks on Knight is not only to ruin her career and reputation, but to impose a freeze on public support for Palestine everywhere," the statement continues.
The group claims support from 24 other groups for the statement defending Knight. CBC has not independently verified those groups' support.
Hamas's Oct. 7 attack into southern Israel killed 1,400 people, according to the Israeli government, and sparked renewed fighting in Israel and the Palestinian territories.
Gaza's Hamas-run Health Ministry says more than 9,250 Palestinians have been killed as of Friday.
Langara committed to 'inclusive and welcoming environment'
The Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver is calling for Knight to be fired for her speech.
President Ezra Shanken said with many in the local Jewish community feeling unsafe, the comments are unacceptable.
"When you have people like this coming out with statements like this that glorify terrorism, I think it's really challenging," Shanken said, adding he was particularly disturbed to see that the speech appeared to be written down rather than improvised, and that it drew cheers from the assembled crowd.
"This is very shocking for a community that's really going through a difficult time."
Knight described United in Struggle in her Oct. 28 speech as a "revolutionary mass organization in East Vancouver."
"We unite workers, Indigenous people and all oppressed people to fight back against the ruling elites," she said.
CBC has reached out to United in Struggle to ask more about it, including its membership size.
Langara, in a statement online, acknowledges an employee "shared their personal views during a public event in Vancouver, which has been shared on social media and addressed through news reports." It has not directly confirmed that Knight is that employee.
"These views do not represent those of the college and while the matter is under investigation, the employee is currently on leave," the college said.
"We ask for your patience and understanding as we follow this confidential process. However, we are conscious that this has greatly impacted our community.
"We want to reassure our community that the college's commitment to building and protecting an inclusive and welcoming environment is unwavering."
Clarifications
- This story has been updated to add attribution when referencing the number of people killed in the Oct. 7 attack.Nov 04, 2023 2:18 PM PT
With files from Reuters