Most problematic is the lack of any attempt to contextualize why there might be discomfort for Israel supporters on campus, if the alleged polling is true. The article entirely omits Israel's appalling violence over the last two and half years, deemed a genocide by international experts, human rights organizations including those inside Israel.
To the Free Press editorial staff and newsroom,
I am writing on behalf of Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) about your article “Classroom antisemitism in full swing, U.S. academic tells city synagogue” by John Longhurst published on May 4, 2026.
I have some serious concerns about the one-sided nature of this article and the egregious lack of context.
There is some questionable framing in the poll that is being used in the article to back up the claims of campus anti-semitism by Rachel Fish. The poll has clearly divided it’s “sample” as Jewish and non-Jewish. That in itself is leading and suspicious. One group is identified by their religion and ethnicity and the other group is merely everyone else. Where is the poll and who conducted it? Why no link?
The poll also makes a distinction between Jews who support Israel and, we are left to assume, Jews who don’t. It also states that 37% of Jewish students believe there is a hostile environment. That’s very slippery language. Just because they might believe it does not make it true nor does it mean they have experienced hostility.
I am also confused by some editorializing by Mr. Longhurst. The article states: "these are the same realities we are seeing," she said, citing the on-campus protests and events since the Oct. 7 attacks that have made Jewish students feel targeted and unsafe.
This is written in such a way that it is not Belle Jarniewski making the latter part of this claim, but Mr. Longhurst himself. It is not appropriate for a journalist to unequivocally state that “protests and events since the Oct. 7 attacks” have made “Jewish students” (without any further qualification) feel targeted and unsafe. Beyond this claim being editorial in nature, it is also troubling. What about the significant numbers of protests led by Jewish people? Why are anti-Zionist or anti-genocide Jewish students being erased in this framing?
What is perhaps most disappointing about this article is that there is no journalistic challenge to the sweeping claims. Mr. Longhurst simply provides a platform for these thin allegations based on a poll we cannot see. I find this to be irresponsible. Articles like this contribute to the “belief” that there is widespread antisemitic hostility on campuses, which is the preferred narrative of those who want Israel shielded from criticism. While Rachel Fish may claim that there’s no issue with criticizing Israel, it’s clear that pro-Israel advocates are trying to set boundaries around speech critical of the increasingly rogue aggressor state.
Most problematic is the lack of any attempt to contextualize why there might be discomfort for Israel supporters on campus, if the alleged polling is true. The article entirely omits Israel's appalling violence over the last two and half years, deemed a genocide by international experts, human rights organizations including those inside Israel. We have all witnessed Israel’s parade of cruelty that continues to this day, despite a fake ceasefire.
This context would go a long way in informing the reader and helping them understand this issue. There are many Jewish groups across North America that would vehemently disagree with this article. Their perspective could have been easily sought out and explored.
Why were no spokespeople sought out from IJV, Jews Say No to Genocide or the Jewish Faculty Network - the very people accused of “promoting hatred of Jews” in your article?
Were any of the subjects of your article asked why they supported Israel after two and a half years of genocide?
Do any of them condemn the killing of 73,000 people, starvation of children or home demolitions to name only three atrocities from a very long list?
Will you publish another article to achieve balance and fairness as required by CAJ ethics, and tell the other necessary side of the story?
Thank you for reading and I look forward to your response.
Jeff Winch