"While the last paragraph was supposed to be a context paragraph, the first sentence reads: 'Israel has denied that its actions in Gaza constitute a genocide.' It is not only concerning that this is the opening sentence of the last paragraph, but that it presents Israel’s claim as valid without adding any additional information or context."
August 21, 2024
Dear Ms. Draaisma and Mr. Achi,
I am writing on behalf of CJPME (www.cjpme.org) to express my concerns with your article “CUPE Ontario president expresses 'regret' after social media post,” published on August 19, 2024, on CBC News.
I take foremost issue with the final paragraph of the article.
While the last paragraph was supposed to be a context paragraph, the first sentence reads: “Israel has denied that its actions in Gaza constitute a genocide.” It is not only concerning that this is the opening sentence of the last paragraph, but that it presents Israel’s claim as valid without adding any additional information or context. For example, on January 25, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ordered Israel to report back in one month’s time as to what steps it was taking to prevent genocide in Gaza. One of the bare minimum steps was that Israel initiates“immediate and effective measures” to protect Palestinians in the occupied Gaza Strip from the risk of genocide by “ensuring sufficient humanitarian assistance and enabling basic services”. It is quite evident by the facts on the ground and from the reports of medical doctors working in the hospitals that basic needs and services are not being provided. As of July 2, 2024, there were an estimated 50,000 Palestinian children being treated for extreme malnutrition, and Israel had failed to provide any evidence to support their claim that the aid and services reaching Gaza were sufficient.
Furthermore, your next sentence reads: “South Africa has brought a case against Israel before the International Court of Justice, alleging that the country’s actions in Gaza have ‘genocidal intent.” The ICJ ruled that there is a plausible genocide. This should have been mentioned instead. By keeping the initial sentence, you amplify Israel's denying its actions constitute genocide.
I, therefore, request that you make some changes that balance out Israel’s dubious claim that they are not committing genocide.
The final paragraph ends with the following sentence: “ The ICJ said in a July ruling that Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories is illegal.”
You should expand your closing sentence to include the following “…Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territory, including the Gaza Strip, East Jerusalem and the West Bank is illegal. Israel has been ordered by the ICJ to withdraw all of its forces from all parts of the occupied territory and remove all settlers from the West Bank and East Jerusalem.”
This additional information is important because it helps readers understand that Gaza is also an occupied Palestinian territory.
Thank you for considering these changes. I look forward to seeing a revised version of your article.
Sincerely,
Debbie Hubbard
CJPME: Okanagan
Kelowna, British Columbia