"You do not challenge Israeli claims that “the strike was a mistake,” which is not only a failure to balance the record but deeply disappointing as Israel knew exactly what it was doing and that its action received an outpour of condemnations from Western countries, including our own Prime Minister."
April 16, 2024
To:
Sean Boynton, National Online Journalist, Global News
Elton Hobson, National Managing Editor, Online Video, Global News
Rishma Govani, Director of Communications News & Radio, Global News
Dear Sean Boynton, Elton Hobson, and Rishma Govani,
I am writing to express my concern about the article: “Former Israeli PM ‘disappointed’ in Canada’s position,” published in Global News on April 14.
I take foremost issue with your article being misleading by using language that undermines Israel’s actions and responsibility in the situation in Palestine.
First, you write: “Israel has said the Oct. 7 attacks, which killed 1,200 Israeli citizens.”
It is inaccurate to write that the 1,200 people who were killed on Oct. 7 were Israeli citizens. Social security data shows that of the total death toll, 695 of those killed were Israeli civilians. The others were security forces and foreigners. I’m afraid many readers will think that “citizens” means civilians.
Please change the words “Israeli citizens” to “Israeli civilians, foreigners, and security forces” to be accurate.
Second, you write: “Israel has said the strike was a mistake and punished the military officials it says were responsible.”
You do not challenge Israeli claims that “the strike was a mistake,” which is not only a failure to balance the record but deeply disappointing as Israel knew exactly what it was doing and that its action received an outpour of condemnations from Western countries, including our own Prime Minister.
CBC reports that:
Two days later, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau appeared to reject the explanation offered by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who called the drone strike a ‘tragic case of our forces unintentionally hitting innocent people in the Gaza Strip’ and added that ‘this happens in wartime.’ ‘No, it doesn't just happen,’ Trudeau said three days after the attack.
Israel’s own narrative made clear that the mistake was their failure to kill an alleged militant, not to attack the convoy at all.
Please add voices to challenge the “mistake” narrative from Israel.
Using the word “punished” is not only misleading but is deeply subjective as it can be interpreted in many different ways.
The reality is that “a reserve colonel and a major were dismissed from their posts” and that “three more senior officers were reprimanded.” The reserve colonel who was dismissed is identified as Nochi Mandel, chief of staff for the Nahal Infantry Brigade. The U.K.’s Telegraph reported that he is a West Bank settler who signed an open letter asking Israel to block aid supplies to Gaza. Israel’s Channel 11 News reported that no decision has been made on if an investigation will be carried out.
Many readers will assume that “punishment” means a response commensurate with the crime. Most people would assume the assassination of aid workers would lead to prison time, or some such result.
Please change the word “punished” to the exact information: the dismissal of a reserve colonel and a major and the reprimanding of three senior officers, and add context to not obfuscate who these people were and Israel’s lack of action.
I hope Global News will make these changes and use precise language when reporting on Israel’s actions in the future.
Sincerely,
Fatima Haidar,
Media Analyst, Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East