College instructor who praised Hamas at Vancouver rally placed on leave
CTV
A Vancouver college instructor who made comments celebrating Hamas' Oct. 7 terrorist attack on Israel during a pro-Palestinian rally last weekend has been placed on leave from her job.
A Vancouver college instructor who made comments celebrating Hamas' Oct. 7 terrorist attack on Israel during a pro-Palestinian rally last weekend has been placed on leave from her job.
Langara College issued a statement Tuesday evening confirming that English instructor Natalie Knight is on leave, though the college did not refer to her by name.
"We are aware that a Langara employee shared their personal views during a public event in Vancouver, which has been shared on social media and addressed through news reports," the statement reads.
"These views do not represent those of the college and while the matter is under investigation, the employee is currently on leave."
Speaking at a rally at the Vancouver Art Gallery on Saturday, Knight referred to the Hamas attack – which left more than 1,400 Israelis dead and hundreds more kidnapped, and began the latest war between the two sides, which has killed thousands more – as "the amazing, brilliant offensive waged on Oct. 7."
The comment, which drew cheers from the crowd, horrified the CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver, which is calling for Langara to cut all ties with Knight and condemn her remarks.
“For somebody to mischaracterize the massacre of innocent men, women and children by a Canadian-designated terrorist group Hamas as brilliant and amazing is incredibly painful for community members to hear,” said Ezra Shanken, speaking to CTV News earlier this week.
