"It is rare, yet critical, for the media to give a voice to the Palestinian-Canadian families that are desperately trying to reunite with their loved ones who are in critical conditions in Gaza."
January 9, 2024
To:
Sarah Smellie, Reporter, Canadian Press
Laura Osman, Reporter, Canadian Press
Dear Ms. Smellie and Ms. Osman,
I am writing to you on behalf of Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East to thank you for your article titled “Families across Canada with loved ones in Gaza vying for limited number of visas,” published on January 9 on The Canadian Press.
It was incredibly saddening to read about the tragic circumstances faced by these two brothers in Gaza after October 7th. I cannot imagine the relief that their sisters Marilyn and Miran Kasken, who reside in Canada, must feel upon hearing their brothers are still alive, day after day. It is rare, yet critical, for the media to give a voice to the Palestinian-Canadian families that are desperately trying to reunite with their loved ones who are in critical conditions in Gaza.
In addition to reading this powerful story, I was particularly impressed that you touched on the negative comparisons that have been made between Canada’s emergency immigration measures for people in Gaza versus measures for Ukrainians following Russia’s invasion in 2022. By putting these two immigration programs side by side– as you do in your article– readers are more likely to understand the racist double-standard that is faced by Palestinians in Canada.
Thank you, Sarah Smellie and Laura Osman, for your inclusion of Palestinian voices and perspectives. Please continue to do so.
Sincerely,
Rose Mardikian,
Media Analyst, Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East