"While the entire article was about the arrest of father and daughter duo for their suspected ties to Hamas and funding of bodies related to the organization, there is no description of Hamas"
June 28, 2023
To:
Tia Goldenberg, Journalist, AP
Josef Federman, News Director, AP
Donovan Vincent, Public Editor, Toronto Star
Dear Mr. Federman, Mr. Vincent, and Ms. Debre
I’m writing to you on behalf of Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME, https://www.cjpme.org) to express our concerns regarding an article titled “Dutch authorities detain father, daughter on suspicion of funding Palestinian militant group Hamas” which was published by the Toronto Star on June 26, 2023, and posted online.
While the entire article was about the arrest of father and daughter duo for their suspected ties to Hamas and funding of bodies related to the organization, there is no description of Hamas. We would suggest using the following text and updating your article in order to give your readers a more balanced and well-informed view:
Hamas was founded in 1987 as a paramilitary group fighting for Palestinian liberation against Israel’s military occupation. In 2006, Hamas won the Palestinian legislative elections and have been the governing body of the Gaza Strip ever since. They are dedicated to liberation of Palestine and resistance of the occupation. Since 2004 Hamas leaders have repeatedly and consistently stated that they would accept a peace agreement based on an Israeli withdrawal to the 1967 borders (i.e. the Green Line). Hamas has military, media, and social service wings.
Thank you for making these changes. Should you wish, you can contact me at 438-380-5410 for more information.
Sincerely,
Mohamed Khalaf
Director of Strategic Operations, Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East