(Vancouver) British Columbia’s Minister of Post-Secondary Education, Selina Robinson, resigns following outcry over her remarks that the State of Israel was founded on a “crappy piece of land.”
Prime Minister David Eby said Ms. ‘demeaning’ remarksme Robinson were incompatible with her remaining in cabinet, even if she will remain in the New Democratic caucus.
In an online debate last week, the minister claimed that Israel was founded on a “crappy piece of land.” She apologized for the first time last Thursday for her lack of respect and explained that she was referring to the fact that the land on which Israel was founded contained very limited natural resources.
His remarks infuriated pro-Palestinian groups and other critics, who called them racist and Islamophobic. The prime minister faced growing pressure to sack his minister.
Dozens of protesters gathered outside the NDP caucus retreat hotel in Surrey on Monday, where they attempted to deliver a petition they said contained 11,000 signatures calling for Ms.me Robinson.
The Prime Minister’s Office finally canceled a housing announcement scheduled for that day on Monday, instead having Mr. Eby announce the resignation of his minister of post-secondary education.
Mme Robinson apologized twice for the comments, saying she was committed to making amends and would undergo anti-Islamophobia training.
“My comments were inappropriate, erroneous, and I now understand how they contributed to Islamophobia and anti-Palestinian racism,” the minister said earlier Monday.
Over the weekend, a group of mosques and Islamic associations in British Columbia sent a letter to Mr. Eby requesting that Mr.me Robinson be removed from office.
These groups also said they would not welcome any NDP MPs or candidates in the upcoming elections to their places of worship until Mr. Eby takes action against Mr.me Robinson.
At a press conference on Monday, the Prime Minister indicated that Mme He and Robinson agreed it was best for her to resign.
Member of Parliament for Coquitlam-Maillardville since 2013, Mme Robinson had already announced that she would not run in the next elections, next October.