Vancouver Jewish Community Applauds Dismissal Of Langara College Instructor
Knight Referred to Oct. 7 Hamas Terrorist Attacks as "Amazing, Brilliant"
Vancouver, B.C. – January 26, 2024 – Today, Langara College announced that it has dismissed Natalie Knight, an instructor who referred to the October 7 terrorist attacks committed by Hamas as “amazing, brilliant.”
Knight had been on leave since October 31, 2023, while the college conducted its investigation into the incident at an October 28 rally. Questions about her status were raised earlier this week, however, when the college’s student newspaper, The Voice, reported that, at a January 23 protest, Knight claimed “I’ve been reinstated as an instructor with no disciplinary actions, which means we won.” Upon hearing the report, CIJA and other Jewish community organizations raised concerns regarding Knight’s possible reinstatement.
In response to today’s announcement, Nico Slobinsky, Vice President Pacific Region, Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, said:
“We are encouraged by Langara College’s decision to dismiss Natalie Knight. Accountability matters, and this is a step that will help restore trust between the college and its Jewish and Israeli students, staff, and faculty.
“When Natalie Knight celebrated the October 7 terrorist attacks committed by Hamas – the largest murder of Jews since the Holocaust – referring to it as “brilliant, amazing,” she caused immense trauma for the college’s Jewish and Israeli community.
“She demonstrably failed in her obligation as an instructor to create a safe environment for all students. By dismissing Knight, Langara College has acted to ensure the safety of its Jewish and Israeli community and taken a stand against antisemitism and the glorification of terrorism.
“Vancouver’s Jewish community experienced a 62 percent increase in police-reported antisemitic hate incidents in 2023 compared to 2022. College and university campuses have been especially challenging spaces for our community. There should be absolutely no room for the glorification of terrorism and antisemitism at any post-secondary institution in Canada.
“We will continue to work with Langara College, and all other B.C. post-secondary institutions, to ensure that their campuses are safe environments for students, staff, and faculty from all backgrounds.”
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*Note: This statement was issued before Shabbat began on the West Coast. The CIJA team will not be able to provide further comment or interviews until after sundown Saturday evening.
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