I find it alarming that China’s efforts, in the context of Palestine’s international relations, would be framed around promoting “authoritarian government.” The paragraph paints a portrait of a clash of civilians between an ‘authoritarian’ boogey-man and the “Western-led democratic world order.”
June 15, 2023
Dear Mr. Federman and Mr. Samyn,
I’m writing on behalf of Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME, https://www.cjpme.org) to express serious concern regarding the June 14 AP article published on the Winnipeg Free Press website entitled “China inks ‘strategic partnership’ with Palestinian Authority as it expands Middle East presence.”
The article perpetuates anti-Palestinian racism. Amidst a description of China’s meeting with the Palestinian Authority, the article states:
“China is seeking energy resources and markets for its military and civilian exports while also promoting its version of authoritarian government as part of joint challenge with Russia to the Western-led democratic world order.”
I find it alarming that China’s efforts, in the context of Palestine’s international relations, would be framed around promoting “authoritarian government.” The paragraph paints a portrait of a clash of civilians between an ‘authoritarian’ boogey-man and the “Western-led democratic world order.”
This type of prejudiced framing is specifically identified in the definition of Anti-Palestinian racism published by the Arab-Canadian Lawyers Association (ACLA). The ACLA’s “Anti-Palestinian Racism: Naming Framing and Manifestations” states:
“Anti-Palestinian racism is a form of anti-Arab racism that silences, excludes, erases, stereotypes, defames or dehumanizes Palestinians or their narratives. Anti-Palestinian racism takes various forms including […] defaming Palestinians and their allies with slander such as being […] opposed to democratic values.”[1]
This kind of language is dangerous, dated, and reductive. It serves to legitimize derogatory characterizations about Palestinians on the world stage which are not fair, nor based in fact, but instead rely on stereotypes like Palestinians or the Arab world more generally being inherently opposed to democratic values.
I strongly recommend that the Associated Press remove the paragraph in question and that the Winnipeg Free Press distance itself from this article.
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
[1] Arab-Canadian Lawyers Association, “Anti-Palestinian Racism: Naming, Framing and Manifestations,” April 2022, p. 2.