"By making the assumption that this incident is Islamophobic, you are minimizing both the suffering of Palestinians and the adversity that their advocates face for expressing solidarity. While Islamophobia and anti-Palestinian racism are linked, APR is a distinct form of hate that deserves clear coverage."
To:
Isha Bhargava, Reporter, CBC News
Nancy Waugh, Managing Editor, CBC News
Paul Moore, Senior Advisor for Journalistic Standards and Language, CBC News
Brodie Fenlon, News Editor in Chief, CBC News
Dear Ms. Isha, Ms. Nancy, Mr. Paul, and Mr. Brodie,
I’m writing to you on behalf of Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME, https://www.cjpme.org) to express several concerns regarding your recent article: “Police search for arson suspect in alleged hate-motivated fire in northwest London” published by CBC News on June 9, 2024.
First, I take issue with the headline that reads: “Police search for arson suspect in alleged hate-motivated fire in northwest London”. Upon further reading of the article, I understood that this is a clear case of anti-Palestinian racism (APR), in which a fire was deliberately set on the front porch of a house on Wateroak Drive in London at 10:40 p.m. Earlier, around 9:30, the same suspect stole items, including pro-Palestinian lawn signs from the front yard. Police have linked this incident to previous reports of theft and property damage at the same address, dating back to last month. This incident clearly meets the definition of anti-Palestinian racism as defined by the Arab Canadians Lawyer Association. However, you did not make it clear in the headline. Given that antisemitic acts are typically denoted as such in headlines, the same treatment should be given to APR.
Second, I take issue with this sentence: “The occurrence is particularly concerning given the rise of Islamophobia in recent months, said Nawaz Tahir of Hikma Public Affairs Council, adding that the family who lives at the house was also given a threatening letter a few weeks ago.” The evidence pointing to this incident being anti-Palestinian racism is that one hour before the house was set on fire, the same suspect stole items, including pro-Palestinian lawn signs from the front yard. There is a significant gap in your reporting since you’ve implied to your readers that this incident is Islamophobic without presenting any evidence that the targeted family is Muslim. By making the assumption that this incident is Islamophobic, you are minimizing both the suffering of Palestinians and the adversity that their advocates face for expressing solidarity. While Islamophobia and anti-Palestinian racism are linked, APR is a distinct form of hate that deserves clear coverage.
Unfortunately, many Palestinians or their supporters have faced professional, personal, and legal backlash for their solidarity, their stories ignored, and their motives mischaracterized. I, therefore, politely ask you to (i) change the headline from “Police search for arson suspect in alleged hate-motivated fire in northwest London” to “Police search for arson suspect in anti-Palestinian hate-motivated fire in northwest London”. I also urge you to add the definition of Anti-Palestinian racism. You can use the definition by the Arab Canadian Lawyers Association (ACLA):
Anti-Palestinian racism is a form of anti-Arab racism that silences, excludes, erases, stereotypes, defames or dehumanizes Palestinians or their narratives. Anti-Palestinian racism takes various forms including: denying the Nakba and justifying violence against Palestinians; failing to acknowledge Palestinians as an Indigenous people with a collective identity, belonging and rights in relation to occupied and historic Palestine; erasing the human rights and equal dignity and worth of Palestinians; excluding or pressuring others to exclude Palestinian perspectives, Palestinians and their allies; defaming Palestinians and their allies with slander such as being inherently antisemitic, a terrorist threat/sympathizer or opposed to democratic values.
To maintain your journalistic responsibility for accuracy and fairness, as echoed by the CAJ, I urge you to take my edits into consideration now and in future reporting of anti-Palestinian hate crimes.
Sincerely,
Lynn Naji
Junior Analyst, Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East