"The protests are indeed targeting the actions and ongoing occupation of the Palestinian people by the Israeli government. However, they are not targeting Jewish Canadians. It would be similar to saying that the protests against the apartheid regime of the South Africa governments were targeting the citizens of South Africa and not the National Party government."
May 1, 2024
Dear Mr. Donovan
I am writing on behalf of CJPME (www.cjpme.org) to express concern re: Toronto Metropolitan University Sued for Anti-Semitic Environment article that was published online on April 29, 2024.
Your opening paragraph lacks critical additional context related to the ‘escalating tensions’ here in Canada . The escalating tensions are due not only to the Hamas attack on October 7 but also to the 200 plus day military attack by Israel on Gaza and the rising levels of violenceagainst Palestinians living in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Providing this additional information would give readers a more accurate understanding of the background to the ‘escalating tensions’.
Furthermore, you write that ‘… a situation exacerbated by the recent surge in anti-Israel protests specifically targeting Jewish Canadians’. That statement is inaccurate and misleading. The protests are indeed targeting the actions and ongoing occupation of the Palestinian people by the Israeli government. However, they are not targeting Jewish Canadians. It would be similar to saying that the protests against the apartheid regime of the South Africa governments were targeting the citizens of South Africa and not the National Party government. Protesting inhumane and illegal actions of governments should be named for what they are. Please do not conflate protests against the government as anti-semitic.
I hope you will consider making these recommended edits in this article, as well as consider them in future ones.
Sincerely,
Debbie Hubbard