"Therefore, there is a notable absence of contextualization when portraying the deaths in Gaza as simply a byproduct of "war" rather than explicitly labeling them as targeted attacks carried out by the Israeli military."
April 22, 2024
To:
Mohammad Jahjouh, Journalist, The Associated Press
John Daniszewski, Standards Editor, The Associated Press
Andrea Baillie, Editor-in-Chief, The Canadian Press
Dear Mohammad Jahjouh,
I am writing to express a minor concern about the article: “A Palestinian baby in Gaza is born an orphan in an urgent cesarean section after an Israeli strike,” originally published by the Associated Press and picked up by The Canadian Press on April 21.
While this article effectively shares personal narratives from the war on Gaza, shedding light on the plight of orphaned infants and children due to Israeli airstrikes, I feel compelled to address a particular phrase that lacks clarity and fails to capture the reality accurately. Referring to "shelter from the war" is imprecise, as this is not a conventional war but rather an Israeli military assault that has indiscriminately targeted civilians in Gaza. The term 'war' implies a conflict between two comparable forces, which is not the case in Gaza. There is a significant power imbalance between Hamas and the Israeli military, with the latter's actions being characterized as a plausible genocide by the International Court of Justice. Therefore, there is a notable absence of contextualization when portraying the deaths in Gaza as simply a byproduct of "war" rather than explicitly labeling them as targeted attacks carried out by the Israeli military.
I appreciate your commitment to incorporating this perspective into future writings when reporting on the Israeli attacks in Gaza.
Sincerely,
Mary Ann Matta,
Media Analyst, Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East