"The treatment of the image in the article is unfair. Your reporting lacks context
surrounding the image used by SPHR for their Youth Summer Program is glaring. The
image in question is a historical photograph of a colonized people learning about the
colonial struggles of others, which has circulated in pro-Palestine spaces for years. At the
very least you can contextualize the ad by stating the original image is of a group of
Palestinian Resistance fighters reading copies of 'Quotations from Chairman Mao Zedong'
in 1970."
June 18, 2024
To:
Amar Sodhi, News Director, CityNews Montreal
Melanie Porco, Supervising Producer, CityNews Montreal
Dear Mr. Sodhi, and Ms. Porco,
I am writing on behalf of Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East to express my concern regarding your article titled “Pro-Palestinian ‘Youth Program’ ad sparks outrage from Montreal’s Jewish community and others, SPVM investigating,” published by CityNews Montreal on June 17, 2024. This article omits important context on the image used for SPHR’s Youth Summer Program.
First the treatment of the image in the article is unfair. Your reporting lacks context surrounding the image used by SPHR for their Youth Summer Program is glaring. The image in question is a historical photograph of a colonized people learning about the colonial struggles of others, which has circulated in pro-Palestine spaces for years. At the very least you can contextualize the ad by stating the original image is of a group of Palestinian Resistance fighters reading copies of "Quotations from Chairman Mao Zedong" in 1970.
The lack of contextualization results in a one-sided narrative about the image used by the encampment. Your voices seem to conflate Palestinians and their supporters as terrorist sympathizers. There is a double standard at play here, as similar historical images featuring Israeli soldiers with guns would likely not be scrutinized in the same manner. I also believe this framing meets the standard legal definition of Anti-Palestinian Racism as defined by the Arab Canadians Lawyer Association. Anti-Palestinian racism dehumanizes Palestinians and their allies, slandering them as inherently antisemitic or as terrorist sympathizers.
Moreover, your coverage predominantly includes statements from the school and pro-Israeli groups, failing to interview any of the SPHR students supporting the encampment and organizing the summer youth program.
The article mentions Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) and the university administration's concern over the Instagram post; however, the term “Jewish leaders” is used inaccurately here. CIJA does not reflect all the opinions of the Jewish Canadian community.
The article also lacks crucial context regarding CIJA, depicting it inaccurately. CIJA is not just a Jewish rights organization but a pro-Israel advocacy organization and should not be conflated with all Jewish voices or perspectives in Canada. The Gazette should clarify that CIJA is not just a Jewish organization but also a pro-Israel advocacy organization.
As an Israel lobbying organization, CIJA has an obvious vested interest in the dismantling of the pro-Palestine encampment at McGill. Including this information would provide readers with a better understanding of their motivations.
Thank you for your attention to this matter. I urge you to consider these points and make the necessary revisions to ensure a fair and balanced representation of this important issue.
Sincerely,
Anthony Issa
Media Analyst
Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East