"Why have Israelis been killed, yet Palestinians have died? This passive language muddles reality by absolving Israel of any responsibility as the perpetrator of these Palestinian deaths."
January 26, 2024
To:
Christl Dabu, National Affairs Writer, CTV News
Dan Taylor, Managing Editor, CTV News
Dear Ms. Dabu,
I am writing on behalf of Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East to express my concern regarding the article, “Following calls for Canada to clarify stance, here’s what Joly said to Israel’s foreign affairs minister,” published on January 25 by CTV News.
Below is one of the principal paragraphs of your article, in which you report the Israeli and Palestinian casualties and damage incurred on and after October 7th:
Israel declared war following Hamas's surprise attacks on civilians in southern Israel on Oct. 7 that killed about 1,200 people in Israel and resulted in the abduction of 250 others. The Associated Press reports that more than 25,000 Palestinians have died in the weeks since the war began, and about 85 percent of Gaza's 2.3 million people have been displaced, including many children, Hamas officials and international aid groups say.
You state that the attacks of Oct. 7 “killed about 1,200 people in Israel,” and that more than “25,000 Palestinians have died in the weeks since the war began.” Why have Israelis been killed, yet Palestinians have died? This passive language muddles reality by absolving Israel of any responsibility as the perpetrator of these Palestinian deaths. Given that “including many children” is only mentioned after the second part of your sentence, it remains unclear to readers whether many children have been displaced, killed, or both. To make your sentence more precise, I would recommend editing it to the following:
Israel has killed more than 25,000 Palestinians in the weeks since the war began, many of whom have been children. Over 85 percent of Gaza’s population of 2.3 million have also been displaced, health authorities in Gaza say.
While these changes may be subtle, they are critical. A lack of precision and choices as simple as using an active voice for Israelis and a passive one for Palestinians work to dehumanize the lives of Palestinians.
I hope that CTV News will make these edits promptly.
Sincerely,
Rose Mardikian,
Media Analyst, Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East