"My concern is with the missing context for why the words ‘Feed Me’ were chosen to be the subject of the vandalism. The article clearly references Israel and the ‘conflict in the Middle East’ with quotes from both Deborah Lyons and Lawrence Greenspon."
June 10, 2025
Dear Mr. Baxter, Ms. Baillie and Mr. Cook,
I am writing on behalf of Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) with a concern regarding the article, National Holocaust Monument vandalized with 'FEED ME' written in red paint that was published on June 9, 2025.
I want to begin by saying I agree with the people interviewed that acts of vandalism or defacement of public or private property are not acceptable.
My concern is with the missing context for why the words ‘Feed Me’ were chosen to be the subject of the vandalism. The article clearly references Israel and the ‘conflict in the Middle East’ with quotes from both Deborah Lyons and Lawrence Greenspon.
What is missing from the article is the broader context that connects the words ‘Feed Me’ with Israel’s role in Gaza being named as ‘the hungriest place on earth’? The choice of those words is not random but is totally connected to Israel and their 613 days of military assault on Gaza and the blockade of humanitarian assistance into Gaza.
Gaza as reported by the UN is the only defined territory in the world where its entire population of two million people are at risk of famine. This fact is well documented in the IPC report that was released on May 12, 2025.
The United Nations and its partners for weeks have had tens of thousands of pallets of food and other life-saving assistance ready to enter Gaza but only a trickle has been allowed to enter. Why? Because Israel continues to put a stranglehold on aid entering Gaza. Israel’s blockade of humanitarian aid is a violation of international law
In the interest of both balanced and factual reporting, I urge you to address my concern in one of two ways:
Remove the references to Israel and the ‘conflict in the Middle East’ and focus on the vandalism as an act of antisemitism.
OR
If you want to reference Israel and the ‘conflict in the Middle East’, then provide some context as to why the words ‘Feed me’ are in protest to Israel’s actions which are in fact creating a famine in Gaza.
I welcome your response to my concern.
Sincerely,
Debbie Hubbard
CJPME: Okanagan
Kelowna, British Columbia