"The article frames Quebec’s decision to open an office in Tel Aviv as a business-as-usual action. It is alarming that Canadian Press would fail to include any context about Israel’s ongoing internal protests, escalating violence against Palestinians, settlement expansion, or the extremist, far-right coalition now in power."
August 3, 2023
To:
Graeme Hamilton, Atlantic/Quebec Bureau Chief
Caroline Plante, chef du bureau de Quebec
Dear Mr. Hamilton and Ms. Plante,
I'm writing to you on behalf of Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME, https://www.cjpme.org) to express concern about the recent Canadian Press article, “Quebec office to open in Israel, first in the Middle East,” published in CTV News Montreal on August 3.
The article frames Quebec’s decision to open an office in Tel Aviv as a business-as-usual action. It is alarming that Canadian Press would fail to include any context about Israel’s ongoing internal protests, escalating violence against Palestinians, settlement expansion, or the extremist, far-right coalition now in power. All of this information is vital for understanding why Quebec’s decision to do this, especially right now, is controversial.
It is disappointing that some of this context would be provided by Le Journal de Montréal in their article “Relations internationales: Québec ouvrira un bureau à Tel Aviv,” but not by Canadian Press.
I urge the Canadian Press to include both the broader context in which Quebec’s decision is being made.
CJPME released a statement (full text in EN / FR) about Quebec’s unfortunate decision. A short excerpt reads:
“Today’s announcement that Quebec will establish an office in Tel Aviv is deeply out of touch with events on the ground and significantly undermines Quebec's stated support for Palestinian self-determination.”
I insist that Canadian Press make reference to why this decision is seen as controversial by human rights groups.
Should you wish, you can contact me at 438-380-5410 for more information or additional comment.
Sincerely,
Jason Toney
Director of Media Advocacy, Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East