Problematic and misleading language regarding Israel's military attack on the Jenin refugee camp

"I would like to bring your attention primarily to the use of the word “operation” when mentioning the Israeli military’s actions. This is a large-scale military assault on a refugee camp filled with thousands of civilians; the use of the word “operation” can allude to many different things."


July 3, 2023

To:

Brodie Fenlon, News Editor in chief, CBC News

Marcia Young, Host, CBC News World Report

Irris Makler, Journalist, CBC News

 

Dear Mr. Fenlon, Ms. Young, Ms. Makler

 

I’m writing on behalf of Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME, https://www.cjpme.org) to express concerns regarding your coverage of the Israeli military’s attack on the Jenin refugee camp in your CBC Fredericton (CBAT) World Report dated July 3, 2023 at around 7:00 AM.

I would like to bring your attention primarily to the use of the word “operation” when mentioning the Israeli military’s actions. This is a large-scale military assault on a refugee camp filled with thousands of civilians; the use of the word “operation” can allude to many different things.

I also strongly disagree with your statement, “Violence in the West Bank has been escalating for more than a year with both Israeli settlers and Palestinian militants stepping up attacks”. This statement alludes to the violence and attacks being asymmetrical and equally perpetrated by both sides. This cannot be further from the truth. Attacks by violent, armed settlers on Palestinian civilians and property have seen an unprecedented rise over the past year with little to no action being taken on the part of the Israeli military to stop or curtail this violence.

Finally, I would like to mention that while this is in fact the second raid conducted in the camp in 2 weeks, there have been dozens of attacks on Jenin over the past 6 months in which countless Palestinian civilians, including children and the elderly, have been killed or injured. This is essential context which is needed in order for your listeners to have a more accurate view of the events in Jenin.

Should you wish to discuss this further, please do not hesitate to contact me at 438-380-5410.

Sincerely,

Mohamed Khalaf

Director of Strategic Operations, Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East