This article published by the Winnipeg Sun is rife with factual inaccuracies and promotes racist narratives against Palestinians. It conflates pro-Palestinian advocacy with terrorism, representing a clear form of anti-Palestinian racism aimed at stifling legitimate calls for criticism against Israel’s apartheid regime. It is unacceptable for the Winnipeg Sun to publish this kind of content and portray racism in a positive light.
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: James Snell: “Harassing Jewish people in Canada over the Israel-Hamas war is ‘pure anti-semitism,’ says activist”
Media Outlet: Winnipeg Sun
Click here to access the piece on-line.
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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):
This article published by the Winnipeg Sun is rife with factual inaccuracies and promotes racist narratives against Palestinians. It conflates pro-Palestinian advocacy with terrorism, representing a clear form of anti-Palestinian racism aimed at stifling legitimate calls for criticism against Israel’s apartheid regime. It is unacceptable for the Winnipeg Sun to publish this kind of content and portray racism in a positive light.
- The article reports that Shai Davidai, a researcher at Columbia University, was banned from campus for opposing staff and students who "allegedly" support terrorism. Shai Daidai has been repeatedly documented harassing students advocating for Palestine. The association of pro-Palestine solidarity with acts of terrorism perpetuates harmful stereotypes that portray Palestinians and their supporters as dangerous antisemites and terrorist sympathizers—an example of anti-Palestinian racism recognized by the Arab Canadian Lawyers Association (ACLA).
- The article fails to mention that Shai Davidai's visit was facilitated by Tafsik, a pro-Israel advocacy group. This glaring omission is significant, as Tafsik does not represent all Jewish voices in Canada. The Winnipeg Sun needs to include this information to give readers vital context.
- The article uncritically echoes Davidai's claim that wearing a keffiyeh constitutes bigotry in Jewish neighborhoods. The keffiyeh is an expression of Palestinian identity and solidarity, embraced by many as a symbol of anti-colonialism and resistance against Israel's occupation of the Palestinian territories.
- Finally, the article echoes Davidai's seemingly fabricated and unverified claim that “95% of Jews are Zionist and 99% of Zionists are Jews.” Journalists are expected to verify claims made in their reporting. This falls short of that standard.
Join us in writing to the Editor of the Winnipeg Sun, Mark Hamm. We've also included the email for Letter to the Editor submissions. Please keep letters to the editor around 250 words.
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
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