"Although your report does a good job of portraying Israel’s short term motivation given the upcoming election, providing some additional background would have helped your viewers understand that Israel’s long term objective is to forcibly and permanently dispossess and cleanse Palestinians from their land and homes not just in Gaza but in the West Bank and East Jerusalem."
Dear Ms. Stroh, Ms. Ramsaran and Mr. Brocklehurst,
I am writing on behalf of Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) regarding The National news segment broadcast on August 9, 2026 – Israel rejects U.S. Peace Plan amid election campaign.
Thank you for an article that clearly illustrates Israel’s true intent for both Gaza and the West Bank. PM Netanyahu’s statement, “As long as I am Prime Minister, there will never be a Palestinian State in either Gaza or Judea and Samaria” tells Palestinians and the world that Israel has no desire for a just peace, self-determination or equitable human rights for Palestinians.
Thank you also for clarifying that ‘Judea and Samaria’ are biblical names for Palestine. We would have appreciated if you had provided the additional context that they are biblical names for the ‘illegally occupied West Bank’ of Palestine.
Our main concern with the segment was the missing context that Israel has not only ‘verbally’ rejected the Peace Plan but has violated all of the key terms of the Plan since the ceasefire took effect on October 10, 2025:
- Israel was supposed to halt the attacks on Gaza. Although the attacks have decreased, they have continued. According to the latest count, more than 450 Palestinians have been killed including at least 100 children.
- Israel was also required to withdraw its army behind the “yellow line.” Instead, it continues to extend its forces beyond this line squeezing the remaining Palestinian refugees into ever decreasing territory. Israel continues to exercise control over 60% of Gaza.
- Israel was also to restore humanitarian aid and reopen the Rafah crossing. Aid continues to be restricted, and Rafah remains closed and under strict Israeli control.
- Hamas has released all 20 living Israeli prisoners and returned 27 of the 28 bodies of deceased captives. The search is still on for the remaining body, believed to be buried under the rubble of buildings bombed by Israel. Israel has failed to reciprocate by releasing all women and child prisoners, and continues to detain several Palestinian doctors.
Although your report does a good job of portraying Israel’s short term motivation given the upcoming election, providing some additional background would have helped your viewers understand that Israel’s long term objective is to forcibly and permanently dispossess and cleanse Palestinians from their land and homes not just in Gaza but in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
Sincerely,
Debbie Hubbard
Kelowna, British Columbia