"For far too long, the media and governments in the West have resisted calling what Israel is doing genocidal. The United Nations, genocide scholars, Israeli and international human rights organizations and humanitarian organizations have concluded genocide describes accurately what is happening to Palestinians in Gaza. It was refreshing to see genocide used in reporting by one of our national media outlets. Thank you."
Dear Ms. Jabakhanji, Mr. Fenlon, Mr. Moore and Mr. Boshra,
I am writing on behalf of Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) to express our appreciation for the CBC News report that was posted online on September 14, 2026 – Macklemore cut from Ed Sheeran U.S. tour after onstage 'Free Palestine' remarks.
For far too long, the media and governments in the West have resisted calling what Israel is doing genocidal. The United Nations, genocide scholars, Israeli and international human rights organizations and humanitarian organizations have concluded genocide describes accurately what is happening to Palestinians in Gaza. It was refreshing to see genocide used in reporting by one of our national media outlets. Thank you.
Naming the opponents petitioning for Macklemore to be removed from Ed Sheeran’s tour as pro-Israel groups clearly describes the self-interests of those groups. You provided the perspectives of individuals such as Pink and Ed Craft who supported those petitions. Thank you for also presenting a balance of other voices that countered those interests and supported Macklemore in his costly stand for raising the plight of the Palestinians in both Gaza and the West Bank.
Western media rarely provides an alternative to the common rhetoric of pro-Israel supporters that conflates criticism of Israel and the ongoing genocide in Gaza with anti-semitism. Thank you for giving space for Macklemore to clearly state that his words were intended as “a criticism of Israel, a criticism of apartheid and being against genocide”. They were not intended as a criticism of the Jewish people.
The only suggestion I would make for your article is that you replace the current closing sentence with the following “Human rights organizations such as Amnesty International and a United Nations commission have concluded Israel's actions in Gaza constitute a genocide.” Amnesty International clearly defines itself as a human rights organization whereas the United Nations has a broader mandate that covers humanitarian efforts, international peace, security, human rights, and development. The use of the word said in the closing article also weakens the very strong conclusions of the diverse group of organizations and groups calling it a genocide. Their conclusions are based on their extensive research and the facts on the ground, not on their personal opinions or impressions.
Thank you again for an article that is overall grounded in clear language and balanced reporting and that amplfies voices that are against the ongoing oppression, genocide and displacement of the Palestinian people.
Sincerely,
Debbie Hubbard
Kelowna, British Columbia