BC NDP MLA, Selina Robinson has issued two apologies following her comments last week regarding Palestine.
Robinson, who is the Province’s Minister of Post-Secondary and Future skills and has been elected to represent the Coquitlam-Maillardville riding for three consecutive terms since 2013.
Last week, Robinson came under fire after a video of her went viral in which she calls Palestine a “crappy piece of land with nothing on it.”
She also insinuated that the Palestinian people know nothing about the Holocaust, did not know how to tend the land that was theirs prior to Israel’s establishment in 1948 and that it was only when the Jewish people moved into the territory that the land was developed.
Since these comments have gone viral, many people in BC and across Canada have been calling for her resignation.
Since #ResignSelinaRobinson is trending, here’s more from that video where she implies that Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh aren’t regular people and that colonizers are pic.twitter.com/XtMWQ0lI0G
— SEAN ORR (@seanorr) February 2, 2024
NDPs, Jagmeet Singh expressed his outrage over the comment made in an Instagram post.
“These comments are not only factually wrong, but offensive and irresponsible,” Singh wrote.
“At a time when we are facing increasing division in our country, elected leaders must be voices for peace and justice.”
“I have heard from many who were harmed by these comments and I have discussed my serious concerns with Premier [David] Eby,” he concluded.
On Friday, Eby weighed in on the controversy saying she would not be ousted from the party but had a lot of work to do if she wanted to remain in her position.
“She’s got some work to do to go out to the community to address the harm that her comments have caused, and in particular, to a very vulnerable community,” Eby said.
“Right now, it’s incredibly raw, given the war in Gaza right now.”
Robinson issued the first of two apologies via her X account (formerly Twitter) on Friday, February 1st.
“I want to apologize for my disrespectful comment referring to the origins of Israel on a ‘crappy piece of land,’” Robinson wrote.
“I was referring to the fact that the land has limited natural resources. I understand that this flippant comment has caused pain and that it diminishes the connection Palestinians also have to the land. I regret what I said and I apologize without reservation.”
This left many people unsatisfied with the comments section of this post still calling for her termination from the BC NDPs.
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On Monday, February 5th, Robinson issued a second apology, this time in the form of an official statement.
“My recent comments have caused pain and distress within the Palestinian community, the Muslim community and beyond. I am very sorry. I bear full responsibility,” said Robinson.
“My words were inappropriate, wrong, and I now understand how they have contributed to Islamophobia and anti-Palestinian racism.”
She then acknowledged that right now is a time of crisis in Palestine and that her comments contributed to division and pain.
She also noted that there are some parallels between the Palestinian people and BC’s own First Nations regarding how colonization can impact a group of people.
“The experiences of First Nations people are not mine to manipulate. That was wrong and I am deeply sorry,” she said.
“I am grateful to each person who has expressed to me their feelings of pain, anger, sorrow and outrage. All of it is valid.”
Robinson admits she broke the trust of many, but is hoping to earn it back by taking part in anti-Islamophobia training.
“I am committed to making amends, learning from the pain I have caused and doing whatever I can to rebuild relationships,” Robinson concluded.
“I am sorry. I will do better.”
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