"The article inaccurately claims that Hamas's operation on October 7 killed "more than 1,200 civilians. This is incorrect. According to Haaretz, 1,105 individuals were killed. This included 851 civilians (including 59 from the police force and 13 from the emergency services) and 368 IDF soldiers. This distinction between civilians and soldiers is critical, and misrepresenting these numbers grossly misleads readers as Mr. Hopper inflates civilian casualties on Oct.7."
To:
Tristin Hopper, “Journalist,” National Post
Rob Roberts, Editor-in-Chief, National Post
Mr. Hopper, Mr. Roberts,
I am writing on behalf of Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) concerning Mr. Hopper’s recent article titled “Samidoun doubles down, says 'Death to Canada' an accurate summation of its goals,” published on Oct 14, 2024 by the National Post. The article includes significant factual errors and defamatory language regarding the Pro-Palestine solidarity movement in Canada.
First, I take immense issue with the statement that Samidoun “handed out pamphlets detailing the risks and benefits of ‘complex coordinated terrorist attacks’ in pursuing political aims.” CJPME finds this statement ridiculous as even Mr. Hopper’s previous reporting has claimed that these ‘terrorist pamphlets’ are mere allegations and not fact.
From FIRST READING: What Samidoun has been able to get away with, published October 10:
“Independent journalist Daniel Bordman was at Samidoun’s infamous October 7 anniversary rally in Vancouver where organizers chanted ‘death to Canada,’ burned Canadian flags and screamed “long live October 7.” They were also allegedly handing out pamphlets explicitly detailing terrorist strategies and how they could be employed.”
It is irresponsible for the National Post to present these instances as facts, even though currently they are allegations. Reporting these claims without verification is not only inaccurate but also irresponsible journalism and amounts to spreading misinformation. As journalists, it is your duty to verify the accuracy of such statements. I urge you to update your article, clarifying that these statements are claims, not confirmed facts.
Second, the article inaccurately claims that Hamas's operation on October 7 killed "more than 1,200 civilians. This is incorrect. According to Haaretz, 1,105 individuals were killed. This included 851 civilians (including 59 from the police force and 13 from the emergency services) and 368 IDF soldiers. This distinction between civilians and soldiers is critical, and misrepresenting these numbers grossly misleads readers as Mr. Hopper inflates civilian casualties on Oct.7. The National Post needs to correct its numbers. The article also fails to mention the over 41,000 Palestinians killed in Gaza since October 7. A balanced report should not exclude such glaring numbers, as it leaves the reader with a one-sided narrative that erases the suffering and experiences of Palestinians, which is a form of anti-Palestinian racism as defined by the Arab Canadian Lawyers Association. I demand you provide this context.
Third, repeatedly using the term “anti-Israel movement” is highly problematic. While Mr. Hopper has every right to criticize Samidoun for its statements, the group doesn’t represent the entirety of the growing pro-Palestine solidarity movement in Canada, which includes peaceful protests and advocacy, is not inherently “anti-Israel.” This label is both one-sided and misleading, aligning the movement with antisemitism while ignoring its opposition to Israel's apartheid policies and its support for Palestinian rights. This framing also contributes to the defamation of Palestinians and their allies as being terrorist sympathizers and opposed to democratic values. The movement is not a monolith and should not be reported as one. I suggest revising the term as the pro-Palestine movement as this would better align with Canadian standards of reporting, as outlined by the Canadian Association of Journalists (CAJ).
As the National Post is a member of Canada’s National NewsMedia Council, it is expected that your newsroom provides stories that are factually correct. I urge you to clarify the distinction between civilian and military casualties, include Palestinian deaths, and avoid the misleading term “anti-Israel.”
I await your response,
Anthony
Media Analyst
Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME)