"The first sentence about JNF activity is followed by a concessive clause, suggesting that the first sentence is meant to be read as a positive. That JNF built playgrounds and reforested parts of Israel is presented by the journalist as a good thing. Unfortunately, to present JNF's reforestation efforts in a positive light contradicts CBC’s own reporting on the grim truth about Israel’s greenwashing efforts."
July 29, 2024
To:
Nancy Waugh, CBC
David Baxter, CBC
Dear Nancy Waugh and David Baxter,
I'm writing on behalf of Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East to express concern about the article "Jewish National Fund is taking the CRA to court over plan to revoke its charitable status,” published July 26, 2024.
I’m concerned about the following paragraph:
The JNF funds numerous projects in Israel, such as reforestation efforts and the construction of playgrounds. However, as CBC News previously reported in 2019, it has also funded infrastructure projects on Israeli army, air and naval bases.
The first sentence about JNF activity is followed by a concessive clause, suggesting that the first sentence is meant to be read as a positive. That JNF built playgrounds and reforested parts of Israel is presented by the journalist as a good thing. Unfortunately, to present JNF's reforestation efforts in a positive light contradicts CBC’s own reporting on the grim truth about Israel’s greenwashing efforts.
All the way back in 1989, CBC ran an episode of “The Fifth Estate” about Canada Park. The CBC investigation showed how JNF funds were being used to reforest an area that would hide a Palestinian village destroyed by Israel. Former Israeli deputy mayor of Jerusalem, Meron Benvenisti, has claimed that reforestation projects like Canada Park were not merely part of an effort to hide evidence of ethnic cleansing but to confiscate Palestinian land under the guise of environmentalism. Israeli intellectual Ilan Pappé has also argued that the choice of non-indigenous plant species used by Israel, like in the JNF-supported Canada park, were selected for their rapid growth, which would hinder the return of refugees and more quickly conceal destroyed Palestinian villages.
Such a decision to frame reforestation efforts in a positive light is understandable, but I hope the above information illustrates why such framing is entirely inappropriate and merits clarification in your article.
Sincerely,
Jason Toney
Director of Media Advocacy, Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East