Victoria councillor apologizes for signing controversial letter
Posted November 23, 2023 9:10 am.
A Victoria city councillor who has come under fire for signing an open letter that included a controversial statement is apologizing.
Susan Kim has faced a slew of criticism and calls for resignation after her name appeared on a letter that cast doubt on reports of sexual violence that occured during Hamas’ initial attack on Israel in October.
In a statement posted to social media early Thursday morning, Kim says she is “writing again to apologize for signing the open letter that has been the subject of much warranted scrutiny over the past days.”
“I have asked for my name to be removed from the letter. I regret not being more careful in understanding the impact of the letter on the community members I represent,” her apology note reads.
“I signed this letter in a moment of immense grief and a felt urgency to call for an end to violence and support the people of Gaza. In the process, I failed to critically assess the impact this would have on community members directly affected – including Jewish and Palestinian community members – experiencing loss and grieving loved ones.”
Kim says her apology is an effort to hold herself accountable and “to representing the city with more awareness and consideration.”
Her post says she has heard from members of the Jewish and Palestinian communities, adding they have offered her “generous guidance on how to take action in more considerate, collaborative, and accountable ways ahead.”
“This is a time when so many of us are feeling raw and shaken as we advocate for peace and justice. I am going to continue to connect with all of those impacted by this conflict to better understand perspectives that are not my own. I am committed to this important work, even in such extremely difficult times, and will proceed gratefully my post working together towards better futures,” Kim’s apology letter concludes.
The line in the letter that sparked controversy questioned the validity of reports of sexual assaults that were reported in the wake of the Oct. 7 attack. It read: “Meanwhile, (NDP Leader) Jagmeet Singh repeated the unverified accusation that Palestinians were guilty of sexual violence, refused to end his party’s deal with the Liberals, and revoked the passes of four delegates who joined a pro-Palestine rally at the NDP Convention.”
The other politician whose name appeared on the letter was independent Ontario MPP Sarah Jama, who was removed from the NDP for her comments on the Israel-Hamas war last month.
Kim’s apology followed another statement she made responding to concerns that were raised in the wake of the controversial letter. In that response, the city councillor said she never intended for the matter to polarize the community.
“On the open letter signed by civil society, I agree that a ceasefire is a necessary next step in de-escalating the horrific conflict we’re seeing on the other side of the globe. To further clarify, that letter was not written by me. It is disappointing that international media did not reach out to verify the letter’s authorship,” she said on Nov. 21.
Kim’s name also appears on an open letter signed, as of Nov. 20, by 69 other local government leaders across B.C., that calls for an immediate ceasefire in the Middle East.
