It is unfortunate, however, that you cite Israel’s rejection of the figures without specifying that it has produced no actual evidence to the contrary or alternative data. It would also be relevant to note that, regardless of what Israel may say publicly, its military accepted the accuracy of the death tolls given by Gaza’s Ministry of Health in early 2026, calling it “broadly accurate.” This view is reflected by Israeli intelligence agencies as well.
Dear CBC editorial team:
I’m writing to you on behalf of Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East regarding your piece on Friday, titled “Reports of hate violence increasing across Alberta.” While the piece has much to commend it, it also contains an inaccuracy that merits correction.
We thank for your drawing attention to the growing problem of hate crimes, and especially for naming and distinguishing anti-Palestinian racism (APR) in particular. All too often, APR is subsumed within Islamophobia generally, but as you rightly point out that should not be the case – both because they are two different phenomena and because many Palestinians are in fact Christian. We also appreciate that the piece acknowledges the expert view that the actual death toll is actually higher than the official figure of 72,000, given that it omits bodies hidden under the massive amount of rubble now omnipresent in Gaza.
It is unfortunate, however, that you cite Israel’s rejection of the figures without specifying that it has produced no actual evidence to the contrary or alternative data. It would also be relevant to note that, regardless of what Israel may say publicly, its military accepted the accuracy of the death tolls given by Gaza’s Ministry of Health in early 2026, calling it “broadly accurate.” This view is reflected by Israeli intelligence agencies as well.
As such, the article's claim that the death toll is “bitterly disputed” is inaccurate. While that characterization may previously have had merit, as Israel disputed the death toll, it is no longer a fair description.
We fully acknowledge that there is limited space in which to add these points. As a result, we would suggest a clarification to modify the text as follows:
“The Gaza death toll has been bitterly disputed since Israel’s assault began. Gaza health authorities, whose figures the United Nations has long deemed reliable, report more than 72,000 have been killed in the 28 months since October 2023, and estimate thousands more remain uncounted beneath destroyed buildings.
“Israel has rejected allegations it is committing genocide in Gaza in the war with Hamas and has questioned those tallies, albeit without providing evidence. According to multiple reports, Israel’s military and intelligence agencies accept the official figures as accurate and reliable.”
Sincerely,
Adam Allouba
Media Advocate
Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East
Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East
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