"On behalf of Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME), I would like to sincerely thank you for publishing Shanzae Zaeem’s powerful and timely piece, “As hunger and violence in Palestine rage on, queer Arabs are reimagining resistance.” This article represents a rare and principled intervention in Canadian media which is one that affirms the lived experiences of queer Palestinians and challenges the narratives that so often erase them."
July 24, 2025
Dear Editors,
On behalf of Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME), I would like to sincerely thank you for publishing Shanzae Zaeem’s powerful and timely piece, “As hunger and violence in Palestine rage on, queer Arabs are reimagining resistance.” This article represents a rare and principled intervention in Canadian media which is one that affirms the lived experiences of queer Palestinians and challenges the narratives that so often erase them.
I am especially grateful that Ms. Zaeem took the time to explore the pinkwashing campaign that has been used to justify the violence inflicted upon Palestinians. In a media environment where Israel is frequently portrayed as a “safe haven” for queer individuals, your article exposes this framing as both cynical and deeply colonial.
Equally important is the way your article humanizes queer Palestinians, not merely as agentless victims, but as organizers, cultural producers, and grassroots community leaders. Again, this complexity is nonexistent in mainstream reporting, and your work provides a hopeful breath of fresh air in my daily monitoring of what I perceive as a cynical and quite frankly racist media cycle that minimizes Palestinian perspectives.
I encourage Xtra to continue offering space for these types of stories. Thank you again for your outstanding coverage.
In solidarity,