In a media landscape marked by efforts to not only minimize Palestinian suffering in the current situation, but also to erase Palestinian identity and heritage, we appreciate such an article, which highlights readers about the continuity and survival of Palestinian culture.
To the CTV Newsroom,
I am writing to you on behalf of Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East, regarding the Agence France Presse article published by CTV News on July 6th 2026 titled "West Bank arts festival kicks off for first time since Gaza war". I apologize for the former email sent, which was an error, being meant for another media Newsroom.
In a media landscape marked by efforts to not only minimize Palestinian suffering in the current situation, but also to erase Palestinian identity and heritage, we appreciate such an article, which highlights readers about the continuity and survival of Palestinian culture.
As the article notes, this festival is happening after a three year halt because of the growing violence in the West Bank. However, this aspect is only briefly mentioned and could have been more detailed. Since October 2023, the increased military operations, settler violence and stricter movement restrictions by the Israeli army have affected the ability of artists, organizers and audiences to travel inside of the West Bank and to participate in cultural events.
We thank you for reporting on the resilience and continuity of Palestinian cultural life. We encourage you to continue covering these stories, particularly in a media landscape where Palestinian voices, experiences, and cultural heritage have often been minimalized and silenced, while still giving more details and context in the future to the causes of the hardships that Palestinians go through.
Sincerely,
Hassan El-Khansa,
Volunteer Media Analyst for the Media Accountability Project