It is unfair and an affront to the dignity and rights of Palestinians to end the article in this way, without referring to abundant evidence of “systematic and widespread perpetration of sexual and gender-based violence, torture and other forms of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment inflicted on Palestinian detainees by Israeli military and security forces” as detailed in a recent UN Special Committee report.
To the CityNews Halifax and Associated Press Newsrooms,
I’m writing on behalf of Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME, https://www.cjpme.org) to express concerns regarding the article titled “Israel frees some Gaza medical staff, but a prominent hospital chief remains imprisoned” published today.
The article states: "Despite widespread calls for his release, Abu Safiya was not among the hundreds of Palestinian detainees and prisoners freed Monday in exchange for 20 hostages held by Hamas." To be accurate, the article must mention that nearly 2,000 - not hundreds - of Palestinian detainees and prisoners were released.
After highlighting injustices faced by detained Palestinians and their families, the article ends by stating: "Israeli officials say they follow legal standards for treatment of prisoners and that any violations by prison personnel are investigated."
It is unfair and an affront to the dignity and rights of Palestinians to end the article in this way, without referring to abundant evidence of “systematic and widespread perpetration of sexual and gender-based violence, torture and other forms of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment inflicted on Palestinian detainees by Israeli military and security forces” as detailed in a recent UN Special Committee report.
To introduce needed journalistic skepticism, “Israeli officials say” should be corrected to “claim” or “allege”, and evidence from the UN and human rights organizations countering Israel’s claim should be provided to conclude the article fairly.
The Special Committee report indicates that most Palestinians “were detained without due process, without access to family and in severely unhygienic conditions…faced daily physical and psychological abuse and torture, and many suffered from scabies and other skin infections due to the appalling environment… The Special Committee also received information about the use of rape and gang-rape, including anal rape with objects, targeting both male and female detainees, amid a near-total absence of prison or military investigations and complete lack of accountability.”
Israel’s violations of Palestinian detainees are also recently reported in the UN Commission of Inquiry [paragraphs 62-70]”, and by Amnesty International in 2023 and 2024.
In the name of accurate and fair reporting, I am asking your newsroom to include:
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The number of Palestinian detainees released (nearly 2,000)
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Corrected language to reflect adequate skepticism of what “Israeli officials say”
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Evidence of torture and abuse Palestinians endure in Israeli prisons
Sincerely,
Alison Jenkins