On Monday, a senior government minister in the Canadian province of British Columbia resigned following controversial remarks last week, which he stated that modern Israel was founded on a “crappy piece of land.” The comment sparked outrage among pro-Palestinian groups.
Selina Robinson, who is Jewish, made the comments during a panel discussion on Thursday and issued a public apology statement on Friday.
She acknowledged that her “flippant comment” diminished the connection Palestinians also had to the land.
I want to apologize for my disrespectful comment referring to the origins of Israel on a ‘crappy piece of land’. 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 …. /1
— Selina Robinson (@selinarobinson) February 2, 2024
The modern state of Israel was established in 1948 on land that was formerly part of Palestine, sparking decades of conflict in the Middle East, including the ongoing war that has persisted since October.
British Columbia Premier David Eby stated that he and Selina Robinson, the province’s Minister of Advanced Education, jointly decided she should step down after reaching out to many communities harmed by her remarks.
“Selina’s comments were wrong, they crossed the line, they were belittling and demeaning to a community of people that is already under profound pressure due to the war in the Middle East,” Eby told a news conference.
Robinson will continue to be a member of the New Democratic Party caucus.