"This event promoted illegal acts that only rub salt in the wounds of Palestinians suffering here in Toronto and across the country. These “events” had nothing to do with religious worship; the protests were a legitimate response to a meeting supporting an illegal practice. Without this context your article insinuates that the protests were against Jewish people and the Jewish state; in short, antisemitic, which they absolutely were not."
May 29, 2025
Dear Ms. Habibinia and Mr. Vincent,
I am writing on behalf of Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) regarding your article “Behind the scenes of Toronto's 'bubble zone' debate: The confidential legal advice city council was given about limiting protests” published in the Toronto Star on May 27, 2025.
I want to thank you for pointing a light into the darker workings of City Hall in Toronto. The behaviour you have exposed is disappointing and it provokes justifiable anger. I had no idea that sealed documents regarding bylaws were allowed in municipal government, and I was surprised by the disregard for legal advice and the charter rights of Canadian citizens.
Regardless of my appreciation for this article I think there is a point of crucial information in this story that mischaracterizes the protests and thereby unfairly insinuates antisemitism. The “Israel events” you mention are essential to understanding this story. They were actually commercial real estate events promoting buying illegally occupied Palestinian land in the West Bank. This event promoted illegal acts that only rub salt in the wounds of Palestinians suffering here in Toronto and across the country. These “events” had nothing to do with religious worship; the protests were a legitimate response to a meeting supporting an illegal practice. Without this context your article insinuates that the protests were against Jewish people and the Jewish state; in short, antisemitic, which they absolutely were not.
I ask that you please amend the article to provide this important context and balance to your story.
Again, I thank you for your article and for reading my feedback. I hope you take it seriously.
Jeff Winch, volunteer media analyst for CJPME