"This is not a minor stylistic issue—it’s a matter of journalistic integrity. Passive language sanitizes Israel’s violations, from apartheid and illegal settlements to its obstruction of aid amid famine. The article itself reports on Israel’s far-right minister explicitly stating that the settlements aim to “bury the idea of a Palestinian state,” yet the headline downplays this aggression."
August 21, 2025
To the Globe and Mail Editors,
I am writing to express my deep concern about the headline of your recent article, “New West Bank settlements announced as non-profits accuse Israel of ‘weaponizing’ aid in Gaza” (June 6, 2024). The framing obscures key facts that are essential for readers to understand the gravity of Israel’s actions.
Firstly, the perpetrator must be named. The headline omits that Israel is the actor behind these new settlements, masking accountability. Settlements are illegal under international law. The headline fails to state that these are not just “new settlements” but illegal ones, violating the Fourth Geneva Convention and numerous UN resolutions.
The West Bank is occupied. While the body of the article correctly identifies the West Bank as occupied, the headline erases this critical context, thereby normalizing colonization. A more accurate headline would be: “Israel announces new illegal settlements in occupied West Bank as non-profits accuse it of ‘weaponizing’ aid in Gaza.”
This is not a minor stylistic issue—it’s a matter of journalistic integrity. Passive language sanitizes Israel’s violations, from apartheid and illegal settlements to its obstruction of aid amid famine. The article itself reports on Israel’s far-right minister explicitly stating that the settlements aim to “bury the idea of a Palestinian state,” yet the headline downplays this aggression.
Further, the piece uncritically quotes COGAT’s denial of aid delays without contextualizing Israel’s long-standing weaponization of humanitarian access. The UN and over 100 NGOs have documented Israel’s deliberate restrictions, yet the article presents a false balance between their evidence and Israeli military claims.
The Globe and Mail must uphold Canadian journalistic standards by accurately naming perpetrators, clarifying violations of international law, and avoiding language that obscures oppression. Silence in headlines is complicity in Israel’s ongoing war crimes and crimes against humanity against Palestinians.
I demand a correction to the headline and for you to provide greater clarity in future coverage.
Sincerely,
Nikki Mutch
Media Advocate
Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East