"Both Israel and the Palestinians claim Jerusalem as their capital city, and East Jerusalem (which includes the Old City) is considered occupied Palestinian territory under international law. This is not an opinion but a matter of a settled consensus at the international level, as confirmed by the United Nations Security Council, the International Criminal Court, the International Court of Justice, and the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention. Similarly, the Canadian government does not recognize Israel's unilateral annexation of East Jerusalem but considers the territory to be occupied."
May 19, 2023
To:
Ilan Ben Zion, Journalist, Associated Press
Fares Akram, Journalist, Associated Press
Joseph Federman, News Director, Associated Press
Jonathan Whitten, News Director, CTV News Toronto
Dear Mr Ben Zion, Mr. Akram, Mr. Federman, and Mr. Whitten,
I’m writing on behalf of Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME, https://www.cjpme.org) to express concern regarding AP’s May 18 article published by CTV News entitled, “Israeli crowds chant racist slogans, taunt Palestinians during Jerusalem march.”
Both Israel and the Palestinians claim Jerusalem as their capital city, and East Jerusalem (which includes the Old City) is considered occupied Palestinian territory under international law. This is not an opinion but a matter of a settled consensus at the international level, as confirmed by the United Nations Security Council, the International Criminal Court, the International Court of Justice, and the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention. Similarly, the Canadian government does not recognize Israel's unilateral annexation of East Jerusalem but considers the territory to be occupied.
You also write that “Jerusalem Day” “marks Israel's capture of the Old City 56 years ago,” but this again is inappropriate language, as the date refers to the start of Israel’s illegal occupation, not its 'capture.'
Worst of all, you write “Israel considers all of Jerusalem to be its capital, but its annexation of east Jerusalem is not internationally recognized.” The language of ‘international recognition’ downplays and obscures that this is a matter of international law. In 1980, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) adopted Resolution 478 which condemned Israel’s unilateral annexation of East Jerusalem as a “violation of international law,” and determined that “all legislative and administrative measures and actions taken by Israel, the occupying Power, which have altered or purport to alter the character and status of the Holy City of Jerusalem, and in particular [Israel’s annexation of East] Jerusalem, are null and void and must be rescinded forthwith.” This was reaffirmed on multiple occasions, including in UNSC resolution 2334 (2016), which emphasized the inadmissibility of the acquisition of territory by force.
Obscuring and omitting these essential facts profoundly impacts a reader’s interpretation of this event.
I insist that you correct your article and make reference to the fact that Old City Jerusalem is occupied Palestinian territory and that Israel’s unilateral annexation of the city is in violation of international law.
If you would like to discuss this matter further, please contact me at 438-380-5410.
Sincerely,
Jason Toney
Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East
Director of Media Advocacy