"The coverage by Mr. May exemplifies the standards expected of Canadian journalists."
To:
The Editorial Team, The Aquinian
Dear Aquinian newsroom,
I am writing on behalf of Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) to express my thanks for your recent article, “STU professor says ceasefire brings temporary relief to Gaza, not resolution.”
I first want to thank you for bringing up the situation in the West Bank, which unfortunately has gone through a media blackout in Canadian news coverage. In fact, you are one of the only newspapers that I found while monitoring the news this morning that didn’t use a wire service to cover the brutal raids on Jenin. Additionally, your commitment to shedding light on the concerning aftermath with the ceasefire in Gaza is equally commendable. I also believe the coverage by Mr. May exemplifies the standards expected of Canadian journalists.
However, I would like to take the time to respectfully suggest an adjustment in how the article describes Palestinians detained in Israeli prisons. While the piece refers to the release of “Palestinian prisoners” as part of the ceasefire agreement, it is important to note that many of these individuals are held under administrative detention, a practice widely criticized by international human rights organizations for its arbitrariness and lack of due process.
According to these human rights organizations, Israel’s dual legal system constitutes apartheid, as it enforces separate and unequal treatment based on nationality and ethnicity. Under this system, Palestinians, including children, are often detained without charge or trial under administrative detention orders. As of December 1, 2024, Israeli authorities held 2,873 Palestinians in administrative detention, marking a three-decade high. Amnesty International has documented the systematic use of torture and degrading treatment of Palestinian detainees, including beatings, stress positions, and denial of medical care, all of which violate international law.
Given this context, these detainees are not conventional prisoners and it’s better to describe them as hostages. This distinction is critical, as it challenges the implicit narrative that Palestinians in Israeli prisons have all been convicted of criminal offenses, when in reality, many are held without charge or trial. Reframing their status as hostages better reflects the power dynamics at play and highlights the broader context of occupation and human rights violations by Israel.
I hope your newsroom considers updating this article with the inclusion of a more appropriate term for these Palestinian hostages. I would also suggest you include this context in future coverage, as it ensures a more accurate and balanced portrayal of the situation. I would be more than happy to provide further resources or perspectives for your newsroom when covering the Palestine beat.
Furthermore, I want to emphasize that J-Source runs the Canada Press Freedom Project, which maintains an ongoing database of press freedom violations as well as tools and resources for media workers. Recently, J-Source has been encouraging journalists covering the Palestine beat and facing online threats from Honest Reporting Canada (HRC) to reach out for assistance. While I sincerely hope that your newsroom never experiences such challenges, I suggest bookmarking this link as a precautionary measure.
Although resources for journalists covering these sensitive issues remain limited, CJPME’s Media Accountability team is always available to support your newsroom. Please don’t hesitate to reach out for assistance or further collaboration.
In solidarity,
Anthony Issa
Media Analyst
Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East