"Thank you for bringing attention to the resilience of Palestinians despite Israel’s occupation of the Gaza Strip and its ongoing genocide. We encourage you to continue highlighting their stories and the brutal realities they are enduring."
October 15, 2024
To:
Yasmine Hassan, Producer, CBC News
Nancy Waugh, Senior Manager of Journalistic Standards, CBC News
Dear Mr. Hassan and Ms. Waugh,
I am writing on behalf of Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) to express our appreciation for your article published by CBC News on October 13, 2024, titled: “Death is everywhere in Gaza. That has prompted people of all ages to write their last words for loved ones.”
Your exploration of the psychological toll on Palestinians amidst Israel's ongoing genocide and siege is particularly timely following World Mental Health Day on October 10. The symptoms of PTSD—nightmares, guilt, anxiety, and fear of sound drones—highlight the daily realities faced by many Palestinians. By sharing personal stories of Palestinians writing their last words amid relentless Israeli airstrikes, you illuminated a harrowing aspect of this humanitarian crisis often overlooked in the media.
I particularly appreciate how you highlighted that these intimate messages, whether poems or heartfelt notes, capture the Palestinians' grief while also demonstrating their resilience amid Israeli genocide and occupation. For example, you quote Yousef Al-Qidra's will which reflects this spirit, as he stated, “as long as you are breathing, as long as you still exist on this earth, this is some form of victory,” urging that his organs be donated if needed.
Thank you for bringing attention to the resilience of Palestinians despite Israel’s occupation of the Gaza Strip and its ongoing genocide. We encourage you to continue highlighting their stories and the brutal realities they are enduring.
Sincerely,
Lynn Naji
Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East