The National Post chose to cover this story by running an op-ed that not only argues that the number of civilians killed is overblown but that even if it is the correct number, Israel is justified in killing civilians because most Palestinians in Gaza are complicit in some form or another.
Poor coverage - Media outlet to be critiqued
A CJPME Media Researcher has launched a media alert for the following article. Please submit a quick response to the media, even if it’s just a sentence or two:
Title of Piece: Vivian Bercovici: "There are reports of civilian casualties in the Israel hostage rescue. But what is a 'civilian'?"
Media Outlet: National Post
Click here to access the piece on-line. If the article is behind a media paywall, click here to view the article in .pdf format.
Comments of the CJPME Media Researcher:
(Note: Please do not copy and paste the material below as the content to your message to the media - put all comments in your own words):
On June 8, 2024, Israeli forces attacked the Nuseirat refugee camp in Gaza, killing well over 200 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. An exact civilian death toll is not yet available, but most experts agree that a majority of those killed were innocent civilians, including children. The event is referred to as a “massacre” even by mainstream media outlets. Vivian Bercovici, Former Ambassador of Canada to Israel, took to the National Post to express disturbing views on the events that deserve our collective condemnation.
- The National Post chose to cover this story by running an op-ed that not only argues that the number of civilians killed is overblown but that even if it is the correct number, Israel is justified in killing civilians because most Palestinians in Gaza are complicit in some form or another.
- The subheading reads: “Civilians, in my universe, also do not typically lock up hostages in their homes. Why is the west pretending the terrorists are innocents?” The notion that all Palestinians living in the Nuseirat refugee camp are “terrorists” by proxy has genocidal implications.
- In spite of the massive civilian death toll, the author says, “We know little about ‘Operation Arnon’ [the Nuseirat refugee camp massacre] other than that it was insanely brilliant and daring.”
- There is much that can be said about this piece, but it is fundamentally unethical to publish work that essentially endorses violence against Palestinian civilians and praises their mass slaughter.
Please click here to launch an email in which you can draft a response to this media coverage.
Thank you very much. Every response makes a difference.
The CJPME Media Centre Team
Email CJPME - CJPME Website