"First, you briefly mention one paragraph from the Al-Khair Foundation Statement that Mansour was an aid worker, then quickly pivot to the Israeli Army's unsubstantiated claims that “Mansour played a role in spreading violent activities throughout the Gaza Strip, and that Al-Khair Foundation 'transfers funds to terror organizations.” However, it is imperative to recognize that Israeli authorities have a notorious history of masking their war crimes and crimes against humanity through deceit, fabrications, and disinformation. Including Al-Khair Foundation’s heartfelt statement, which provides crucial context about Mansour's invaluable humanitarian work, would have offered a much-needed counterbalance to the Israeli Army’s narrative."
July 15, 2024
To:
Yasmine Hassan, Producer, CBC News
Nancy Waugh, Sr Manager, CBC News
I am writing on behalf of Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East to express concerns about the article titled “Israel airstrike kills at least 4 aid workers in Gaza, IDF claims 1 is Hamas operative” published on July 12, 2024.
First, you briefly mention one paragraph from the Al-Khair Foundation Statement that Mansour was an aid worker, then quickly pivot to the Israeli Army's unsubstantiated claims that “Mansour played a role in spreading violent activities throughout the Gaza Strip, and that Al-Khair Foundation 'transfers funds to terror organizations.” However, it is imperative to recognize that Israeli authorities have a notorious history of masking their war crimes and crimes against humanity through deceit, fabrications, and disinformation. Including Al-Khair Foundation’s heartfelt statement, which provides crucial context about Mansour's invaluable humanitarian work, would have offered a much-needed counterbalance to the Israeli Army’s narrative.
I, therefore, ask that the CBC link to Al-Khair Foundation’s statement to ensure a more balanced reporting. And in general, in the future, given that the Israeli Army so consistently misrepresents its actions, I urge you to always seek the perspective/reaction of alternative actors and eyewitnesses.
Second, at the end of the article, you mention: “Israel began its incursion on the Gaza Strip following the Hamas-led attack on Oct. 7 that left some 1,200 dead and 250 taken hostage, by Israeli figures.” Israel is not conducting an “incursion” on the Gaza Strip but rather has been pursuing an aggressive militarily campaign in Gaza - employing full-blown war tactics on Palestinians in Gaza, such as starvation, indiscriminate bombing of neighborhoods and hospitals, using Palestinians as human shields. There is no semantic reason to use the euphemistic “incursion” rather than the more accurate “invasion.” In either instance, words like “incursion” and “invasion” should be preceded by “military.”
Your sentence should rather read, Israel began its military invasion on the Gaza Strip following the Hamas-led attack on Oct. 7 ….
I hope you take my important recommendations into consideration now and on future reporting on Israel’s war on Gaza.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
Lynn Naji
Junior Analyst, Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East