"This reflects Edward Said’s concept of Orientalism where the West only recognizes the humanity of “Others” when they reinforce its moral superiority. In a column that claims to celebrate protest, the exclusion of widespread pro-Palestine encampments is telling."
April 2, 2025
Re: “Finally, America is showing signs of protest”
Dear Editor,
Marsha Lederman’s celebration of protest exposes a glaring double standard. She applauds Palestinians in Gaza for “courageously” protesting Hamas, yet ignores the millions, including Canadians, who have protested for over a year against Israel’s siege, bombardment and genocide of Gaza which has killed more than 60,000 Palestinians.
As a media analyst who has covered Gaza full-time, I’ve seen Canadian media praise Palestinian protest only when it targets Palestinian society. But when it challenges Israeli apartheid or Western complicity, it is branded as radical, barbaric, or uncivilized.
This reflects Edward Said’s concept of Orientalism where the West only recognizes the humanity of “Others” when they reinforce its moral superiority.
In a column that claims to celebrate protest, the exclusion of widespread pro-Palestine encampments is telling.
If The Globe and Mail wants to champion protest as a democratic right, it must extend that support to those demanding justice for Palestinians and not only when it is politically convenient for their editorial line.
Anthony Issa
Media Analyst
Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East