One-sided article lacks Palestinian perspectives

"Your article only gives voice to Henry Topas, Quebec's regional director of B'nai Brith and a Jewish student, without giving voice to other critical pro-Palestinian voices or perspectives and students who voted for this pro-Palestine policy."


November 22, 2023

To:

Jesse Feith, Journalist, Montreal Gazette

Marilena Lucci, Editor in Chief, Montreal Gazette

Dear Jesse Feith and Marilena Lucci,

I am writing to express concerns about your article: “Judge suspends adoption of pro-Palestinian policy at McGill student union,” published on November 21 in Montreal Gazette.

I want to highlight significant issues that make your article one-sided.

First, your article fails to present B'nai Brith Canada, accurately. It is not simply a Jewish advocacy organization. As written on its website, it is a self-described “staunch defender of the State of Israel,” so it is a pro-Israel advocacy organization.

I, therefore, suggest adding that B'nai Brith is a pro-Israel advocacy organization.

Second, your article only gives voice to Henry Topas, Quebec's regional director of B'nai Brith and a Jewish student, without giving voice to other critical pro-Palestinian voices or perspectives and students who voted for this pro-Palestine policy.

I, therefore, suggest adding critical pro-Palestinian voices or perspectives and voices of students who voted for this pro-Palestine policy.

Third, your article fails to quote a key player: the SSMU. You just paraphrased one of its statements from your other article about the topic.

I, therefore, suggest adding direct quotes from the SSMU.

I hope Montreal Gazette 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