"Your article is biased as it only gives information about the Israel-based company, Zim Integrated Shipping Services, from the 1940s. Nothing is written about the company’s recent activities or even from 1948 and onwards. The protest is against the Zim of today, not of the 1940s. History matters, of course, but so does the context of the present situation."
November 21, 2023
To:
Kevin Rollason, Reporter, Winnipeg Free Press
Paul Samyn, Editor, Winnipeg Free Press
Dear Kevin Rollason and Paul Samyn,
I am writing to express my concerns about your article: “Palestinian supporters block trains on CN Rail line from moving goods in Israeli company's shipping containers,” published on November 20 in Winnipeg Free Press.
I want to highlight significant issues that make your article deeply biased and one-sided.
First, the headline is misleading as mid-article, the subject diverts to two events at the University of Winnipeg: “Antisemitism in the wake of 7/10: Critical perspectives from Jewish scholars, community leaders and activists” and “Palestine and Genocide: Reflections on Imperialism, Settler-colonization and Decolonization.”
I, therefore, suggest changing your headline so that it fairly depicts the article.
Second, your article is biased as it only gives information about the Israel-based company, Zim Integrated Shipping Services, from the 1940s. Nothing is written about the company’s recent activities or even from 1948 and onwards. The protest is against the Zim of today, not of the 1940s. History matters, of course, but so does the context of the present situation.
I, therefore, suggest adding information about Zim Integrated Shipping Services post-1948.
Third, your article fails to give voice to critical perspectives about the events. It only gives voice to Belle Jarniewski, the Jewish Heritage Centre’s executive director, about the “Palestine and Genocide: Reflections on Imperialism, Settler-colonization and Decolonization” event and Robyn Flisfeder, founder of Jewish Community on Campus, about the “Antisemitism in the wake of 7/10: Critical perspectives from Jewish scholars, community leaders and activists” event.
I, therefore, suggest adding critical perspectives about the events and not only pro-Israel voices, the same that organized one of the events.
Fourth, your article omits that one of the speakers of the Jewish Heritage Centre’s event, B'nai Brith, is self-described as a “staunch defender of the State of Israel.” This is a piece of information that should be added and mentioned since the article makes it seem like this organization is providing a Jewish perspective by placing it after Jarniewski's comment that they are no Jewish perspective in the event about Palestine.
I, therefore, suggest adding information about B’nai Brith so that your readers understand that it is not a Jewish perspective.
I hope Winnipeg Free Press will make these changes and cover local events regarding Palestine-Israel in a complete and balanced manner.
Sincerely,
Fatima Haidar,
Media Analyst, Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East