"The segment repeatedly quoted or paraphrased the Israeli perspective on its invasion, which allegedly was about counter-terrorism. The segment reinforced this view by showing multiple videos sourced from the Israeli army. However, the segment did not provide an adequate analysis of the event from the perspective of Palestinians, who have called it a “massacre,” and included very little footage from the Palestinian perspective of the attack, despite the widespread availability of such videos. The overall effect of this imbalance was to justify and rationalize Israeli violence."
July 4, 2023
To:
David Common, Host, CBC News: The National
Chris Brown, Journalist, CBC News
Brodie Fenlon, News Editor-in-Chief, CBC News
George Achi, Director of Journalistic Standards and Public Trust, CBC News
Dear Mr. Common, Mr. Brown, Mr. Fenlon, and Mr. Achi,
I’m writing to you on behalf of Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME, https://www.cjpme.org) with feedback regarding a segment on CBC’s The National which was aired on July 3, 2023, titled “Israeli military operation.” While the segment did provide a certain degree of critical information, overall, the coverage was unfortunately weighted towards the perspective of Israel, the aggressor party and occupying power.
First, the segment repeatedly named Israel’s actions in the Jenin refugee camp as a “military operation,” instead of using more accurate language such as military invasion. In doing so, CBC deferred to Israel’s own preferred terminology, allowing the aggressor party to determine how its actions are described. This would be similar to referring to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as a “special military operation.”
Second, the segment repeatedly quoted or paraphrased the Israeli perspective on its invasion, which allegedly was about counter-terrorism. The segment reinforced this view by showing multiple videos sourced from the Israeli army. However, the segment did not provide an adequate analysis of the event from the perspective of Palestinians, who have called it a “massacre,” and included very little footage from the Palestinian perspective of the attack, despite the widespread availability of such videos. The overall effect of this imbalance was to justify and rationalize Israeli violence.
Third and relatedly, the segment downplays the overall effect of Israel’s invasion and siege on the civilian population in the Jenin refugee camp, only stating that “even with purportedly decision strikes, there are reports civilians were hit.” Missing from the report was any mention that, for example:
- At least 2 of the Palestinians killed were children;[1]
- Israeli forces have been caught on camera firing directly at a team of journalists;[2]
- Israeli forces have fired directly on medics, attacked a hospital with tear gas, and obstructed ambulances from reaching the injured;[3]
- Israeli forces damaged civilian infrastructure, forcing a shutdown of water, electricity, and internet services;[4]
- Thousands of Palestinian refugees have been forcibly ‘evacuated’ and displaced.
Going forward, I insist that CBC must cease using Israel’s own term “military operation” in future coverage and should instead use the more accurate language of “military invasion.”
Further, CBC should make every effort to include the perspectives and video footage from Palestinians who are the victims of Israel’s actions, and adequately cover the civilian toll of this invasion.
Thank you for updating your reporting to include this important information. Should you wish, you can contact me at 438-380-5410 for more information.
Sincerely,
Michael Bueckert, PhD
Vice President, Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East
[1] Defence for Children International – Palestine, “Two Palestinian children confirmed dead in Israeli military offensive on Jenin,” July 3, 2023, https://www.dci-palestine.org/two_palestinian_children_confirmed_dead_in_israeli_offensive_on_jenin
[2] Muhammad Shehada (@muhammadshehad2), Tweet, July 3, 2023, https://twitter.com/muhammadshehad2/status/1675891992985837568; New Arab, “Al Araby TV crew, other journalists attacked by the Israeli army in Jenin,” July 4, 2023, https://www.newarab.com/news/al-araby-tv-crew-attacked-israeli-army-jenin; 972 Magazine, “Shut out and under fire, Palestinian journalists struggle to cover Jenin assault,” July 4, 2023, https://www.972mag.com/palestinian-journalists-jenin-assault/
[3] See Medecins Sans Frontiers, “MSF condemns denial of medical access during Israeli military raid in Jenin,” July 3, 2023, https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/latest/msf-condemns-denial-medical-access-during-israeli-military-raid-jenin; Medical Aid for Palestinians, “2023 becomes deadliest year for Palestinians in the West Bank as Israeli military launches fresh attack on Jenin,” July 3, 2023, https://www.map.org.uk/news/archive/post/1483-2023-becomes-deadliest-year-for-palestinians-in-the-west-bank-as-israeli-military-launches-fresh-attack-on-jenin-refugee-camp; Al Jazeera, “Aid groups alarmed at Jenin access curbs, scale of Israeli attack,” July 4, 2023, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/7/4/aid-groups-alarmed-at-jenin-access-curbs-scale-of-israeli-attack
[4] WAFA, “Israeli forces destroy main networks of electricity and water during its aggression against Jenin camp,” July 3, 2023, https://english.wafa.ps/Pages/Details/136589