Granted that opinion writing allows for interpretation and argumentation of facts, it must still adhere to fundamental journalistic standards of accuracy, fairness, and responsible framing expected of Canadian news outlets. This op-ed fails to meet those standards and advances precisely the type of unsupported and harmful generalizations the NNC has previously ruled against.
To the National Post,
I am writing on behalf of Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) regarding the op-ed titled: “Pro-terror event held at government-funded community centre in Montreal” published on April 22, 2026.
We are concerned the article includes multiple false claims and violates precedents set by the National NewsMedia Council (NNC) regarding inaccurate inflammatory speech.
The opinion piece reports on the political prisoner’s event that took place on Sunday, April 19 that was organized by the Palestinian Youth Movement to hear testimonies from liberated Palestinian political prisoners. The columnist, however, framed this event as one that “glorifies terrorism, distorts facts and normalizes violence against civilians,” and further alleges that it celebrated “convicted terrorists” involved in stabbings, murders, and a failed suicide bombing. These are extraordinarily serious and defamatory claims presented in a column. The headline specifically and baselessly characterizes the event and its organizers as “pro-Terror.” This is a serious accusation, one that goes beyond the normal boundaries of opinion writing into the territory of defamation.
The event was educational in nature and proceeded at the center despite pressure to cancel it, including legal threats directed at the venue. Its purpose was to raise awareness about the conditions faced by Palestinian political prisoners in Israeli prisons, conditions that have been documented by numerous human rights organizations, including reports of physical and psychological abuse (including during interrogation), torture, and sexual assault.
Labeling this event as “pro-terror” is therefore an unfair and inaccurate allegation that contributes to the harmful stigmatization of a predominantly peaceful movement. The headline should be amended, removing “pro-Terror,” so it fits with NNC precedent.
Specifically, in previous decisions, the NNC has stated that news organizations should take care to avoid using unnecessary or inflammatory language when presenting opinions on complex or sensitive subject matter. This includes overly broad generalizations, unsubstantiated claims, or potentially harmful allegations about individuals or members of an identifiable group.
Granted that opinion writing allows for interpretation and argumentation of facts, it must still adhere to fundamental journalistic standards of accuracy, fairness, and responsible framing expected of Canadian news outlets. This op-ed fails to meet those standards and advances precisely the type of unsupported and harmful generalizations the NNC has previously ruled against.
Second, the article attempts to use a weak, partisan legal challenge by Neil Oberman to justify calling PYM and the event pro-terror. However, the sourcing for Oberman’s claims is extremely weak. The article cites a French court ruling about an entirely different PYM group, and quotes a propagandist report by an Israeli Ministry that has never led to consequences for PYM in Canada (the allegations contained in the report were poorly sourced and do not specify that its allegations are against the Canadian PYM branches in particular). The report, in our view, is a vague political weapon used by Israel to justify the repression of Palestine advocacy abroad. Further, the allegations brought forward by Oberman were weak enough that they were ignored by the Canadian government when he brought them. Such spurious links between PYM and other actors do not amount to the grounds to accurately make such sensational allegations, even in an opinion piece.
Third, the op-ed advances two inaccurate assertions.
- The op-ed mentions that Ahmad Manasra was convicted as a teen of attempted murder for participating in the 2015 Pisgat Ze’ev stabbing attack in Jerusalem, where he and his cousin stabbed a 13-year-old Israeli boy and another man. This is factually incorrect. Mansara was arrested over alleged accusations that he was involved in a stabbing carried out by his cousin in an illegal settlement in occupied Jerusalem. Available evidence indicates that he did not personally stab anyone, yet he was nonetheless sentenced to nine and a half years in prison. Presenting him as having personally committed the stabbing is factually incorrect.
- The op-ed further claims that Dr. Abu Safiya, former director of Kamal Adwan Hospital in Gaza, was a Hamas colonel who used the hospital as a command centre. However, according to CBC reporting, international aid organizations that worked directly with Dr. Abu Safiya have explicitly denied these claims. Presenting Dr. Abu Safiya as a Hamas colonel is therefore inaccurate.
I therefore request that both of these inaccuracies be corrected in the name of accurate and responsible journalism.
Failure to respond to my concerns or to revise the article will leave me no choice but to proceed with filing a formal complaint with the National NewsMedia Council.
Media Accountability Team - Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East