"Israeli attacks have to date resulted in the death of more than 1,800 Palestinians, as you yourself report. You must clearly tell readers that these attacks constitute war crimes."
October 13, 2023
To:
Dan Taylor, Managing Editor, CTV News
Isabel Debre, Reporter, Associated Press
Edith M. Lederer, Reporter, Associated Press
Wafaa Shurafa, Reporter, Associated Press
Joseph Federman, News Director, Associated Press
Dear Dan Taylor, Isabel Debre, Edith M. Lederer, Wafaa Shurafa, and Joseph Federman,
I am writing on behalf of Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME, cjpme.org) to implore you to correct an omission in your October 13 article, “Palestinians flee northern Gaza after Israel orders 1 million to evacuate as ground attack looms.”
Your failure to inform readers that Israel in announcing and pursuing grave violations of international humanitarian law demands correction.
There is here no reasonable controversy of fact. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) – fulfilling the capacities assigned to it in Article 61 of the Geneva Convention – confirms that Israel’s assault on Palestinian civilians is illegal.
“Critical infrastructure that people depend on to live,” the ICRC implores us to remember, “including electricity and water networks – must not be targeted. Irrespective of any military siege, the authorities must ensure that civilians have access to basic necessities, including safe water, food and medical care.” Israel is breaching international law.
Moreover, the announced Israeli refusal to distinguish in its attacks between Palestinian civilians and Palestinian combatants – in the words of Israeli human rights group B’Tselem: “the IDF Spokesperson said ‘the emphasis is on damage rather than on precision” – is the announcement of an intention to commit war crimes.
Israeli attacks have to date resulted in the death of more than 1,800 Palestinians, as you yourself report. You must clearly tell readers that these attacks constitute war crimes.
Feel free to reach me at 438-380-5410 should you wish to discuss this matter further.
Sincerely,
Dan Freeman-Maloy
PhD, University of Exeter
Director of Strategic Operations
Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East/
Canadiens pour la Justice et la Paix au Moyen-Orient