‘Crappy piece of land’: BC minister steps down over remarks that angered pro-Palestinian groups

British Columbia's Post-Secondary Education Minister Selina Robinson is stepping down amid an outcry over her remarks that modern Israel was founded on "a crappy piece of land."

Premier David Eby says Robinson's "belittling" remarks were incompatible with her remaining in cabinet, although she will stay in the NDP caucus.

Eby had faced mounting calls for the removal of Robinson since the remarks last week that infuriated pro-Palestinian groups and other critics who called them racist and Islamophobic.

The premier has told a news conference that he and Robinson both agreed on her decision to quit, which came after two apologies from her, as well as a commitment that she would undertake anti-Islamophobia training.

Robinson says in a statement that her exit from cabinet doesn't excuse her "harmful comments" or "absolve her."

She says she remains committed to her constituents, although she previously said she wasn't running for re-election this year.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 5, 2024.