"Of course, we’re not interested in dialogue with someone who denies Israel’s genocide in occupied Gaza – since when do the colonizer and the colonized sit at the same table? By failing to challenge these statements, The Stony Plain Reporter is complicit in spreading the dangerous narrative that pro-Palestinian supporters are a threat, which unfairly delegitimizes the entire, overwhelmingly peaceful pro-Palestine movement in Canada."
To:
Josh Thomas, Editor, The Story Lain Reporter
Tyler Dawson, Reporter, National Post
Dear Mr. Thomas and Mr. Dawson,
I am writing on behalf of Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East to raise serious concerns about your article titled “My country: This Arab fights for Israel,” which is rife with anti-Arab and anti-Palestinian racism.
First, your claim that Israeli Yoseph Haddad was scheduled to speak at Concordia University in early December is factually wrong. Concordia’s student newspaper, The Link, reported that the pro-Israel group Startup Nation violated university policies by marking "not applicable" when disclosing Haddad as an external speaker, breaching Article 16 of Concordia’s and the Concordia Student Union’s (CSU) policies on the temporary use of university spaces. Haddad did not have a scheduled event—he showed up unannounced, making Mr. Dawson’s coverage factually incorrect. Please correct this oversight.
Moreover, your article omits crucial context regarding Yoseph Haddad. The Link reported that Zeyad Abisaab, former SPHR general coordinator and current member of the Palestinian Youth Movement, stated that "bringing someone who is a genocide apologist, spreading hate, racism, and Islamophobia is not something Concordia students tolerate." Haddad is not just an Israeli Arab; he is a former member of the Israeli Offensive Forces, a pro-Israel advocate, and a genocide denier. This context, which explains the controversy surrounding his visit and why there was backlash at Concordia, is glaringly absent from your article. Please add this important context.
Second, your article irresponsibly quotes Yoseph Haddad’s interview with the National Post without challenging his claims. As a Lebanese Muslim reading this article, I find it troubling that you didn’t question his harmful racist statements regarding Arabs. When a media outlet gives a platform to someone with such vile rhetoric, it is their duty to provide fair context and not allow these dangerous views to spread unchecked.
I’m especially disturbed by your uncritical reporting of Haddad’s claim that “some protestors threatened my life,” and his assertion that “they’re not interested in dialogue.” Yoseph is dangerously painting us as threats and misrepresenting us as unwilling to engage. Of course, we’re not interested in dialogue with someone who denies Israel’s genocide in occupied Gaza – since when do the colonizer and the colonized sit at the same table? By failing to challenge these statements, The Stony Plain Reporter is complicit in spreading the dangerous narrative that pro-Palestinian supporters are a threat, which unfairly delegitimizes the entire, overwhelmingly peaceful pro-Palestine movement in Canada.
This failure to hold racist rhetoric accountable is harmful to your readers and contributes directly to the spread of hate and division. As such, your article breaches the Canadian Association of Journalists’ (CAJ) principles, which call for accuracy, fairness, and the responsibility to avoid promoting harmful stereotypes.
I condemn this irresponsible reporting and ask that you take my recommendations into consideration, both now and in future reporting, and commit to responsible journalism that upholds ethical journalistic standards.
Lynn Naji
Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East