Change needed to clarify that Israel's military assault on Gaza isn't a "wave of violence"

"Considering this is the first instance of you vaguely alluding to 'violence' in the article, it should be precise and descriptive. Instead, I implore you to consider using 'Israel’s military assault and blockade on Gaza' as a substitute for the 'ongoing wave of violence in Gaza'."


April 11, 2024

To:

Antoni Nerestant, Journalist, CBC News

Nancy Waugh, Standards Editor, CBC News 

Dear Antoni Nerestant,

I am writing on behalf of Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East to offer minor recommendations for your recent article titled, “‘Time is blood in Gaza,’ says Palestinian Montrealer urging Canada to get relatives out,” published on April 10 on CBC News.

I want to make a few recommendations to make your wording more accurate in the following paragraph:

The lengthy bureaucratic process to bring Jana to Canada predates the ongoing wave of violence in Gaza. Jana was born with cerebral palsy and had severe brain damage. Even during periods of relative peace, caring for her was complicated.  

Using the ambiguous “a wave of violence” to describe the situation in Gaza conceals every component that has led to Jana’s death, including the perpetrator of the “violence” to which you refer. Considering this is the first instance of you vaguely alluding to “violence” in the article, it should be precise and descriptive. Instead, I implore you to consider using “Israel’s military assault and blockade on Gaza” as a substitute for the “ongoing wave of violence in Gaza.”

Further, you state that caring for Jana was complicated “even during periods of relative peace.” Israel has imposed a blockade on Gaza since 2007, and the population has been subjected to periodic airstrikes, restricted movement into or outside of Gaza, constant surveillance, food shortages, highly restricted water access, and other dehumanizing conditions. “Peace” for Israel has meant the slow, quiet suffering of most Palestinians in Gaza. As a substitute for “periods of relative peace,” perhaps you could write “periods of ongoing occupation and blockade.”

Thank you for covering this story. I hope you will consider making these edits to maximize clarity.

Sincerely,

Rose Mardikian,

Media Analyst, Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East