The existence of the State of Palestine is, in fact, a matter of both objective fact and public record. Its independence was declared in 1988 by the Palestine Liberation Organization, which the United Nations General Assembly had recognized in 1974 as “the representative of the Palestinian people.” Since then, while counts vary, Palestine has been recognized by at least 144 countries, including Canada.
Dear National Post Editorial board
I’m writing to you on behalf of Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East regarding with the op/ed authored by Avi Benlolo, “Trump administration takes a courageous stand against the UN.” While an opinion piece is, by its nature, not subject to the same standards as news reporting, Mr. Benlolo’s text includes at least one claim that is without any factual basis whatsoever and must therefore be corrected: his reference to Palestine as “non-existent.”
The existence of the State of Palestine is, in fact, a matter of both objective fact and public record. Its independence was declared in 1988 by the Palestine Liberation Organization, which the United Nations General Assembly had recognized in 1974 as “the representative of the Palestinian people.” Since then, while counts vary, Palestine has been recognized by at least 144 countries, including Canada.
As a broadly-recognized state, Palestine participates actively in international forums. For example, in 2012 the United Nations General Assembly overwhelmingly voted to accord Palestine status as a non-member observer. This is the same status held by the Holy See since 1964 (without wishing to be presumptuous, one assumes that Mr. Benlolo does not deny the Vatican’s existence).
More crucially, as Mr. Benlolo knows – because he linked to the explanation – in 2015 Palestine accepted the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court “for the purpose of identifying, prosecuting and judging authors and accomplices of crimes within the jurisdiction of the Court committed in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, since 13 June 2014.” The ICC itself ruled definitively in 2021 that it has jurisdiction over that territory – a position taken only after careful analysis, as evidenced by the tribunal’s 2012 determination that it lacked such jurisdiction and which it reversed only after Palestine’s status at the UN was upgraded later that year as aforementioned. Mr. Benlolo protestations to the contrary notwithstanding, it is very much in this universe that the ICC has jurisdiction over violations of the Rome Statute that occur in Gaza and the West Bank.
Separate from the question of Palestine’s existence, Mr. Benlolo’s assertion that “[t]he ICC overstepped its power and was weaponized by Israel’s enemies” in issuing arrest warrants for Israel’s Prime Minister and Defence Minister merits attention. The court in fact also sought warrants against three of those enemies: senior Hamas leaders Yahya Sinwar, Ismail Haniyeh and Mohammed Deif. None were issued against the first two as they died while the process was ongoing, while the warrant against the third was withdrawn due also to his death. Mr. Benlolo may regret the ICC’s jurisdiction in this world, but he may take consolation in knowing that it does not reach the next one. Had Israel not killed the three men in question, they would certainly remain very much wanted by the court.
As the saying goes, Mr. Benlolo is entitled to his opinions, but not to his facts. There is no basis in reality for asserting that
Palestine is “non-existent” and unless the National Post wishes to abandon elementary journalistic principles by abjuring the concept of objective truth, it has no choice but to issue a prominent correction to his piece.
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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