"The definition has been interpreted to label even the slogan “Free Palestine” as antisemitic, setting a deeply troubling precedent that suppresses pro-Palestinian activism. Including this context is essential for readers to critically assess the claims made in your article – and its omission risks Bradford Today endorsing a flawed and highly politicized interpretation of antisemitism."
December 5, 2024
To:
Jessica Owen, Journalist, Bradford Today
Michael Friscolanti, Editor-In-Chief, Bradford Today
Chris Simon, Editor, Bradford Today
Dear Ms. Owen, Mr. Friscolanti, and Mr. Simon,
I am writing on behalf of Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) to express concern over your one-sided article titled “Jewish group slams local YMCA for ‘antisemitic’ social-media post,” published on December 3, 2024.
The article presents a dangerously unbalanced narrative, heavily amplifying the claims of Collingwood resident Rashell Feldman, who condemned the YMCA’s social media post as antisemitic. However, her claim is based on the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism. While this definition has been adopted by some institutions, it has faced widespread criticism from legal experts, academics, and human rights organizations for conflating legitimate criticism of Israeli state policies with antisemitism.
In 2022, 128 scholars—including leading Jewish academics from universities in Israel, Europe, the United Kingdom, and the United States—stated that the IHRA definition had been “hijacked” to shield the Israeli government from international criticism.
For instance, the definition has been interpreted to label even the slogan “Free Palestine” as antisemitic, setting a deeply troubling precedent that suppresses pro-Palestinian activism. Including this context is essential for readers to critically assess the claims made in your article – and its omission risks Bradford Today endorsing a flawed and highly politicized interpretation of antisemitism.
Furthermore, to claim that the UN observed International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People is antisemitic based on the IHRA definition is an obvious act of anti-Palestinian racism as rigorously defined by the Arab Canadians Lawyer Association (ACLA). According to the 2021 Stats Can census, more than 50,975 individuals in Canada identified as having Palestinian origins. To defame Palestinians as antisemitic for having a commemorative day is a clear attempt at excluding the Palestinian Canadian identity in Collingwood. A blatant act of racism which is a perspective is excluded from your story.
Your reporting would have been significantly more balanced if it had:
- Highlighted the controversy surrounding the IHRA working definition of antisemitism, which conflates anti-Zionism with antisemitism.
- Included the perspective of YMCA staff, providing insight that they shared the post on the United Nations International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People at a time when international organizations, including United Nations experts have condemned Israel’s actions in Gaza as genocide. Just today, Amnesty International concluded Israel is committing genocide, deliberately destroying Palestinians, obstructing aid delivery, and targeting civilians—actions aimed at causing their physical destruction.
By failing to mention Israel’s ongoing genocide in occupied Gaza—while prominently featuring Feldman’s accusations against the YMCA—your article perpetuates a dangerous bias that unfairly frames expressions of solidarity with Palestinians as acts of hatred.
Given that the journalistic standards set by the Canadian Association of Journalists (CAJ), which emphasize fairness in reporting, I urge you to update your article to reflect the controversy surrounding the IHRA definition and to include the broader context of the YMCA’s post, which expressed solidarity with Palestinians enduring Israel’s genocide in Gaza.
I would like to remind Bradford Today that my concerns stem from a good faith intention to hold journalists and Canadian media accountable in their reporting of Israel-Palestine and raise awareness about harmful stereotypes that dehumanize Arabs.
I trust that you will give this matter the serious attention it demands and take immediate steps to ensure fairness, accuracy, and integrity in your reporting.
I look forward to hearing your thoughts.
Warmest regards,
Lynn Naji
Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East