‘No place for bigotry’: B.C. Premier David Eby condemns recent rise in hate crimes

British Columbia Premier David Eby has condemned a rise in hate crimes in the province driven by the Israeli-Hamas conflict and 'targeting of gay and trans communities' in the U.S.

British Columbia Premier David Eby had strong words regarding a recent rise of acts of hate in the province.

He said over the past month, the province has experienced unacceptable acts of antisemitism and other attacks on religions and ethnicities.

“I am hearing directly about acts of antisemitism from people here in our province, including the vile vandalism of a rabbi’s home and two Jewish women threatened with violence following a peaceful rally. The Jewish community in B.C. is facing more hatred and discrimination than it has in a generation,” Eby said in a written statement.

“I have learned that two Muslim women, who have chosen not to be named, were recently attacked in Vancouver and I am hearing reports of a significant increase in hate incidents from Muslim organizations.”

On Oct. 15, a rabbi’s home in Surrey was defaced with eggs and a Nazi symbol.

Zev Schtroks, the rabbi’s son who also lives at the house, said he was leaving home in the evening to meet his father and walk him home when he noticed a man at the edge of the property.

“He was holding a carton of eggs under his arm and he asked, ‘Is this the Jewish temple?’” he said.

The rabbi’s son said he told the man it was a Jewish temple, and shortly after the man started throwing eggs at the building. Zev then took out his cellphone, started recording video, and called police.