"The headline claims a "huge majority" of York parents fear for Jewish children's safety based on an informal and non-scientific survey. Using such a survey as a credible source goes against journalistic standards. The survey, written by Sharon Aschaiek, only surveyed 193 families. It's irresponsible not to mention in the headline how unscientific this "survey" is. This survey does not represent the broader population and should not be the basis for sweeping claims."
June 20, 2024
To:
Tyler Dawson, Reporter, National Post, [email protected]
Rob Roberts, Editor-in-Chief, National Post, [email protected]
Dear Mr. Dawson and Mr. Roberts,
I am writing on behalf of Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East to express my concern regarding your article titled “Huge majority of York parents fear for Jewish children's safety in school, survey finds,” published by the National Post on June 20, 2024. This article is incredibly one-sided and lacks credible reporting.
To begin, the headline claims a "huge majority" of York parents fear for Jewish children's safety based on an informal and non-scientific survey. Using such a survey as a credible source goes against journalistic standards. The survey, written by Sharon Aschaiek, only surveyed 193 families. It's irresponsible not to mention in the headline how unscientific this "survey" is.
This survey does not represent the broader population and should not be the basis for sweeping claims.
Additionally, the survey's claim that YRDSB does not include training on anti-Jewish racism is inaccurate. YRDSB’s website clearly outlines their efforts in Holocaust education and combating antisemitism, including mandatory Holocaust learning in elementary schools.
Another issue I have with the article is that the survey supports including the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism. This definition is problematic as it conflates criticism of Israel with antisemitism, which defames and pressures Palestinians and their allies to exclude their voices. The IHRA definition itself reinforces anti-Palestinian racism as defined by the Arab Canadian Lawyers Association.
I also take issue with one of the survey's recommendations. The survey criticizes the exclusion of pro-Israel organizations like B’nai B’rith Canada, CIJA, and the Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center from YRDSB’s Dismantling Hate and Oppression Framework. However, these groups are not merely Jewish rights organizations, in fact, they are pro-Israel advocacy organizations and do not represent all Jewish voices in Canada. The National Post should clarify that these organizations are also pro-Israel.
These groups have an obvious vested interest in pressuring the school board to adopt a definition of anti-semitism that excludes the perspectives or rights of Palestinians. Including this information would provide readers with a better understanding of their motivations.
The National Post should uphold the journalistic standards defined by the CAJ. Publishing an article based on a biased and unreliable survey does not meet the threshold of credible reporting.
CJPME demands that you correct your reporting. You must include interviews from parents and their perspectives on the matter. Do not rely solely on quotes from the survey, which amounts to hearsay.
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