Use of incorrect terminology to refer to illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank

"It is highly alarming that a CBC host would use this incorrect terminology in a broadcast to describe areas in the occupied West Bank. In effect, the CBC falsely claimed that this territory belonged to Israel."


October 11, 2023

To: 

Alison Brunette, Host, CBC Breakaway 

Brodie Fenlon, News Editor-in-Chief, CBC News 

George Achi, Director of Journalistic Standards and Public Trust, CBC News 

Jack Nagler, Ombudsman, CBC News 

Dear Alison Brunette, Brodie Fenlon, George Achi, and Jack Nagler, 

During an October 10 broadcast of CBC Breakaway at 4pm, CBC host Alison Brunette interviewed a Montrealer who was introduced as someone who was “in the Judea and Samaria area of Israel over the weekend.” 

You may be aware that ‘Judea and Samara’ is the term that Israel uses to refer to its illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. You may also know that the Canadian government, along with virtually the entire international community, does not recognize Israel’s claims to this territory. 

It is highly alarming that a CBC host would use this incorrect terminology in a broadcast to describe areas in the occupied West Bank. In effect, the CBC falsely claimed that this territory belonged to Israel. This statement deserves an immediate on-air correction as well as a clear policy statement by CBC leadership, otherwise I will formally request that the Ombudsman carry out a formal review. 

Sincerely, 

Jason Toney 

Director of Media Advocacy, Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East