"While your story does include references to the ongoing Israeli blockade, you should mention how the IDF has not met the requirements of the International Court of Justice and what Mr. Michaud’s view is upon this aspect of the ‘plausible’ Genocide."
January 31, 2024
Dear Janice Dickson,
Thank you for your article “Gaza ‘unbearable,’ says Canadian responsible for UN staff”
The picture heading your article gives us some idea as to the conditions in which the Palestinians are trying to stay alive.
However, you may wish to add a further paragraph to better explain the conditions the UN staff are facing and the reasons they are in such a difficult position.
The Israeli bombardment has destroyed most of their homes leaving them to shelter as best they can in ‘cramped quarters sleeping on the floor’. But surely their plight goes well beyond this. They and their families for whom they have concern must be hungry, thirsty, and some in pain from lack of medical supplies. Their families must be exposed to the weather shown in your picture. Clearly, the blockade of food, water, medical supplies, and fuel is having a devastating impact upon the Palestinian population causing them to blame the UN for not doing more.
You should also mention the critical admonishment of Israel voiced by the International Court of Justice in saying “The State of Israel shall take immediate and effective measures to enable the provision of urgently needed basic services and humanitarian assistance to address the adverse conditions of life faced by Palestinians in the Gaza Strip”. While your story does include references to the ongoing Israeli blockade, you should mention how the IDF has not met the requirements of the International Court of Justice and what Mr. Michaud’s view is upon this aspect of the ‘plausible’ Genocide.
You do mention the suspension of Canadian funding to UNRWA and indicate some of the locations of expected impact. But you should extend the words of Mr. Michaud when you quote him as saying “There is no other organization that can replace UNRWA and the lifesaving work that it is doing right now in Gaza.” You really should add, without attributing the words to him, “Without the UNRWA relief, Palestinians will surely die from starvation, dehydration, disease, untreated wounds, and exposure to the winter conditions.
These additions will make your article full, fair, and balanced so as to provide the reading public a better appreciation of the situation in Gaza.
Sincerely,
Walter Thomas Beckett