"The Tower of David Museum sits atop an ancient citadel which had a dome and crescent that were removed by the Israeli Antiquities Authority. According to Middle East Monitor, the $50 million renovation of the citadel resulted in “wiping out all Islamic features which confirm its Islamic identity.” This destruction of historic constructions dating back to the Ayyubid, Mamluk and Ottoman dynasties demonstrates the efforts to demographically alter Jerusalem and solidify an Israeli narrative that is contradictory to history."
May 30, 2023
To:
Ilan Ben Zion, Journalist, Associated Press
Josef Federman, News Director, Associated Press
Anne Marie Owens, Editor-in-Chief, Toronto Star
Donovan Vincent, Public Editor, Toronto Star
Dear Mr. Zion, Mr. Federman, Ms. Owns and Mr. Vincent,
I’m writing to you on behalf of Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME, https://www.cjpme.org) to express my appreciation and provide important critiques to the article “Jerusalem’s redesigned Tower of David museum opens after 3-year renovation” authored by Ilan Ben Zion of the Associated Press and published by Toronto Star on May 29, 2023.
First, I appreciate that you address the exclusion of the Palestinian national identity and Palestinian perspectives from the Tower of David Museum. I am glad that you allude to the whitewashing of Palestinians who are referred to as “Arabs of East Jerusalem” – a term which downplays the identity of Palestinians in Jerusalem and their historical connection to the land. However, the article would benefit from providing additional context about how the museum is part of the larger attempt to “Judaize” the Old City of Jerusalem.
The Tower of David Museum sits atop an ancient citadel which had a dome and crescent that were removed by the Israeli Antiquities Authority. According to Middle East Monitor, the $50 million renovation of the citadel resulted in “wiping out all Islamic features which confirm its Islamic identity.” This destruction of historic constructions dating back to the Ayyubid, Mamluk and Ottoman dynasties demonstrates the efforts to demographically alter Jerusalem and solidify an Israeli narrative that is contradictory to history. By omitting such information, you exclude important context regarding the Israeli government’s attempt to expand control over Jerusalem, including the Old City as evidenced by the establishment of illegal settlements and efforts to alter the historical status of Al-Aqsa Mosque.
As such, I ask that you provide additional context regarding the “Judaization” of the ancient Jerusalem Citadel, where the Tower of David Museum is currently located.
Second, in your article, you write that “Israel captured it [East Jerusalem] in the 1967 Mideast war.” Referring to East Jerusalem as “captured” obscures the reality that it was militarily occupied by Israel in 1967. The status of East Jerusalem as occupied Palestinian territory is firmly established under international law and confirmed by international bodies including the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention. International law does not recognize the “capture” of territory by armed force, as confirmed by Article 2, Section 4 of the UN Charter which provides no avenue for a country to violate or infringe on the territorial integrity of another country.
As such, I ask that you update your sentence to read:
“Israel occupied East Jerusalem, including the Old City in the 1967 Mideast war.”
Thank you for making these changes. Should you wish to discuss this matter further, you can contact me at 438-380-5410.
Sincerely,
Tayla Shair
Media Analyst, Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East