"Haaretz quotes the human rights group Association for Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI) in describing the national guard as "a private, armed militia that would be directly under Ben-Gvir's control,” and warns that “this is a police force that will first and foremost act in mixed cities, first and foremost against the Arab population [read: Palestinian citizens of Israel].”"
March 28, 2023
To:
Sylvia Stead, Public Editor, Globe and Mail
Evan Annett, Digital Content Editor (News), Globe and Mail
Dear Ms. Stead and Mr. Annett,
I’m writing to you on behalf of Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME, https://www.cjpme.org) to request a prompt update to the article, “What is happening in Israel as judicial reforms are in limbo? Latest updates on protests and Netanyahu’s future,” which was published by the Globe and Mail on March 27, 2023.
I want to note that your report omits a key consideration in Netanyahu’s decision to pause its legislative agenda. The reason that the far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir agreed to this legislative pause, rather than resign from the coalition, was in return for a commitment from Netanyahu to establish a “national guard” under Ben-Gvir’s control.
The vote is to take place on Sunday, according to a signed document from Netanyahu, and Ben-Gvir is already meeting with Israel police chief to “establish a framework deal for creating such a body.”[1]
Haaretz quotes the human rights group Association for Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI) in describing the national guard as "a private, armed militia that would be directly under Ben-Gvir's control,” and warns that “this is a police force that will first and foremost act in mixed cities, first and foremost against the Arab population [read: Palestinian citizens of Israel].”[2]
It is critical that this element of the story is included in your reporting so that the coverage highlights the immediate consequences for Palestinians as a result of Netanyahu’s decision.
I insist that you update your article to note that Netanyahu agreed to establish a ‘national guard’ under Ben-Gvir as part of the compromise. Your reporting should also note the extremist, ultranationalist background of Itamar Ben-Givr, and the threat that his militia force poses to Palestinian citizens of Israel.
Thank you in advance for making this update. 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
[1] Times of Israel, “Ben Gvir meets with police chief to discuss plan to establish National Guard,” March 28, 2023, https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/ben-gvir-meets-with-police-chief-to-discuss-plan-to-establish-national-guard/
[2] Noa Shpigel, “Ben-Gvir Agrees to Netanyahu's Judicial Overhaul Delay in Exchange for Israeli National Guard,” Haaretz, March 27, 2023, https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2023-03-27/ty-article/.premium/ben-gvir-agrees-to-netanyahus-judicial-overhaul-delay-in-exchange-for-national-guard/00000187-23eb-d4ca-afff-33ebbc290000