"The use of language like 'firebombing of Jewish schools' to describe small arson attacks versus 'bombard the Gaza Strip'—when Israel is widely considered to be committing a genocide in which mass killings, the targeted killing of children, deliberate starvation, infliction of serious bodily and mental harm, and prevention of births have all been documented—exemplifies a bias in your reporting."
Dear Canadian Press editors,
I am writing regarding your recent article, “Calls emerge for U.S. refugee status as group helps Jewish families flee Canada” (CTV/CP, August 5, 2026). The piece includes factual inaccuracies and hyperbole which should be corrected and uses troubling language that minimizes and excuses the atrocities committed by Israel over the past 2 years, 9 months, and 30 days.
The article paraphrases Joe Roberts as saying:
“Thousands of Canadian Jews are seeking to escape constant fear over the firebombing of Jewish schools, temples and businesses.”
Roberts said Tulsa Tomorrow has received inquiries from 800 to 900 Jewish Canadian families. Even if that is true, which should be verified, it is a bit of a stretch to count their children as people who are decision-makers and call this thousands of people seeking to escape.
Secondly, his quote refers to the firebombing of Jewish schools. I cannot find an instance of a Jewish school firebombing reported in major news outlets since 2004. I understand that he may have said that but the Canadian Press and CTV News should be fact checking and following up with a statement to clarify which events have actually taken place is recent times that might relate to this current situation.
The hyperbole and inaccuracies in this statement are making this situation seem far more extreme than it is and could be seen as unnecessary fear-stoking.
Lastly, in recounting Roberts story, the CP article goes on to frame his move in this way:
“They settled in Cobourg, Ont., an hour outside Toronto. He said it was a good fit until the fall 2023 attack by Hamas on Israel, which prompted Israel to bombard the Gaza Strip.”
In both these instances, CP has used paraphrasing rather than direct quotes. The language the CP editorial team chose uses the October 7 Hamas attack as a justification for Israel’s actions since and also minimizes what they have been doing as a bombardment.
The use of language like “firebombing of Jewish schools” to describe small arson attacks versus “bombard the Gaza Strip”—when Israel is widely considered to be committing a genocide in which mass killings, the targeted killing of children, deliberate starvation, infliction of serious bodily and mental harm, and prevention of births have all been documented—exemplifies a bias in your reporting.
I urge CP and CTV to:
- Replace exaggerated terms like “firebombing” with arson attacks.
- Remove “schools” from the list of arson attacks potentially related to the current topic
- Replace the word “thousands” from the statement on the number Jews seeking asylum or include credible statistics.
- Include Palestinian sources to contextualize Israel’s genocide impacts.
The stakes are too high for journalism to uncritically amplify narratives that stoke fear in Canadians. I hope you’ll address these issues now and in future coverage.
Sincerely,
Nikki Mutch
Volunteer
Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East