"You write that 'one Palestinian man [was] killed by rioting Israeli settlers.' In fact, while the fact that he was killed by Israeli fire is not in dispute, it is an open question of whether he was killed by settlers or by Israeli soldiers. Relatives of Sameh Aqtesh claim that he was shot by Israeli soldiers, while investigations by Israeli news outlets are not conclusive but confirm the presence of Israeli soldiers during the attack. For example, Haaretz has reported that although 'the source of the gunfire that killed Aqtash cannot be determined,' the killing 'took place in front of soldiers who were standing next to a group of settlers.'"
March 6, 2023
To:
Saša Petricic, Asia Correspondent, CBC News
Dear Mr. Petricic,
I’m writing to you on behalf of Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME, https://www.cjpme.org) with feedback regarding your article, “Is occupied West Bank on verge of a big flare-up? Positions harden as Israeli extremists flex political muscle,” which was published by CBC News on March 6, 2023. Above all, we want to thank you for this article, as your analysis is very strong and provides readers with important context for recent events. We appreciate that you have highlighted Palestinian perspectives and that you reported the reality behind some of the Israeli government’s claims – for example, on settlements. However, there is a factual issue that requires correction.
You write that “one Palestinian man [was] killed by rioting Israeli settlers.” In fact, while the fact that he was killed by Israeli fire is not in dispute, it is an open question of whether he was killed by settlers or by Israeli soldiers. Relatives of Sameh Aqtesh claim that he was shot by Israeli soldiers,[i] while investigations by Israeli news outlets are not conclusive but confirm the presence of Israeli soldiers during the attack. For example, Haaretz has reported that although “the source of the gunfire that killed Aqtash cannot be determined,” the killing “took place in front of soldiers who were standing next to a group of settlers.”[ii]
Similarly, as reported by +972 Magazine:
“The videos do not show the shots being fired, making it difficult to determine whether the shooting came from the soldiers or the settlers — or from a third party that does not appear in the videos. However, the documentation clearly shows that Israeli security forces were not only present in the area at least 15 minutes prior to the shooting, but they did nothing to prevent the settler attack, nor to identify or catch the perpetrator who killed Aqtesh.”[iii]
It is important that this event is accurately reported. The Israeli military has been trying to minimize its role in the violence, despite eyewitness accounts and journalistic investigations which strongly suggest that soldiers were responsible for his killing: either by pulling the trigger or by allowing his murder to happen.
I insist that the article be updated to accurately reflect that Sameh Aqtesh was killed by Israeli fire, although it is uncertain whether the shot came from settlers or soldiers. The article should also make clear that Israeli forces were present in the area when he was killed, and that there are credible allegations that they were responsible for his death.
Thank you in advance for promptly making this change. Should you wish, you can contact me at 438-380-5410 for more information.
Sincerely,
Michael Bueckert, PhD
Vice President, Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East
[i] Ash Obel and Emanuel Fabian, “Relatives of Palestinian killed during settler riot say he was shot by ‘IDF troops,’” Times of Israel, February 27, 2023, https://www.timesofisrael.com/relatives-of-palestinian-killed-during-settler-riot-say-he-was-shot-by-idf-troops/
[ii] Hagar Shezaf, “Video Reveals: Israeli Soldiers Were Present at Palestinian’s Killing During Settler Rampage in Hawara,” Haaretz, March 5, 2023, https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2023-03-05/ty-article/.premium/israeli-soldiers-were-present-at-palestinians-killing-during-settler-rampage-in-hawara/00000186-b371-d693-afdf-f7fb7f8f0000
[iii] Oren Ziv and Yuval Abraham, “’I couldn’t see if my brother’s murderer was a soldier or settler,’” +972 Magazine, March 5, 2023, https://www.972mag.com/settlers-soldiers-huwara-zaatara/