The Media Accountability Project  

Thanks for providing background information about Israel’s far-right Israeli figures

"However, I especially appreciated the background information Panetta provided about far-right Israeli figures Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, which we don’t normally expect to be covered in the media, which is not fair. I think it gave the readers a clear idea of who is running Israel and how it is an obstacle to the prospect of a just and lasting peace or Palestinian state."

December 14, 2023

To:

Alexander Panetta, Reporter, CBC

Nancy Waugh, Sr. Manager, CBC

Dear Alexander Panetta and Nancy Waugh,

I am writing to express my appreciation for the article: “Tension over U.S. policy on Israel is approaching its snapping point,” published on December 14 on CBC.

I appreciated how this article highlighted the contradictions in the Biden administration's stance regarding Israel while mentioning Biden’s particular affinity to Israel. These points help provide balance to the piece.

I was shocked to learn that “no other American president has such deep connections to leaders in Israel, going back to former prime minister Golda Meir in the 1970s.”

However, I especially appreciated the background information Panetta provided about far-right Israeli figures Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, which we don’t normally expect to be covered in the media, which is not fair. I think it gave the readers a clear idea of who is running Israel and how it is an obstacle to the prospect of a just and lasting peace or Palestinian state. It did not put all the blame on Hamas as we commonly see in the media.

In that sense, Aaron David Miller, a former U.S. Mideast negotiator’s, words that “that’s in a galaxy far, far away” were very telling.

Lastly, I also want to take the time to thank you for giving a voice and space to former United Nations rapporteur for human rights in the Palestinian territories, Michael Lynk, whose experience, and knowledge are unmatched.

Thank you, Alexander Panetta and CBC, for this critical article that describes far-right Israeli figures fairly and is a good start to a balanced understanding of Biden’s administration's stance regarding Israel. I hope you will continue to do so.

Sincerely,

Fatima Haidar,

Media Analyst, Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East

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