The Media Accountability Project  

"In fact, the main issue with the definition are the 11 “examples” provided with the definition, 7of which focus on the state of Israel rather than on Jews as a group. The definition, with its examples, disserves Jews because it conflates real antisemitism with criticism of Israel. And it disserves Palestinians and Palestinian-Canadians because it smears themas antisemites for sharing their stories of dispossession at the hands of Israel and Zionism.It is for this reason that theBC Civil LibertiesAssociation, Independent Jewish Voices and many other civil liberties groups are so concerned about the IHRA definition" Continue reading

"This article misrepresents the legality of Israel’s occupation and settlement enterprise as a matter of subjective opinion, writing that “most world powers view as illegal the settlements Israel has built on land it captured in a 1967 war with Arab powers.” Continue reading

"Above all, it is highly problematic that neither article on the erosion of Israel’s democratic institutions once mentioned the Palestinians, who are under Israeli control yet largely excluded from its democracy. Of the 6.8 million Palestinians under Israeli rule, only a small minority of them (1.6 million) hold Israeli citizenship and have the right to vote in national elections (albeit with a second-class status and significant restrictions). The remaining 5.2 million Palestinians under Israeli military occupation in East Jerusalem, the West Bank, and Gaza, have no right to vote for the government that rules them. In fact, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, UN experts, and Israeli and Palestinian human rights groups like B’Tselem, have argued that is Israel is not a democracy, but should properly be defined as a regime of apartheid." Continue reading

"The absence of Palestinians from this segment is also unacceptable due to the impact that Israel’s judicial reforms could have on its control over the occupied Palestinian territories, including the threats of settlement expansion and annexation. New Israeli annexation claims were made only hours before the announcement of judicial reform. In fact, it is a widely held view that annexation and judicial reform are inextricably bound." Continue reading

"The segment incorrectly describes the West Bank as 'disputed' and Gaza as a 'conflict zone.' According to international law, both the West Bank and Gaza strip constitute Palestinian territories under Israeli military occupation. This is not an opinion but represents the international legal consensus as confirmed by the United Nations Security Council, the International Criminal Court, the International Court of Justice, and the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention. We insist that future reporting correctly identifies the West Bank and Gaza as Palestinian territories occupied by Israel." Continue reading

"Your news segment sheds light on the rise in tensions and violence in the Israeli-occupied West Bank which resulted in the death of Amir Bustami, a 21-year old Palestinian man, by Israeli forces. However, I would like to point out several problems with your video segment. First, you report that the events are taking place in the “West Bank.” However, you fail to mention that the West Bank has been militarily-occupied by Israel since 1967 according to international law. Referring to it only as the “West Bank” omits critical context and fails to adequately describe the oppressive situation that Palestinians in the occupied West Bank face. We ask that future reporting correctly identifies the West Bank as Palestinian territory occupied by Israel." Continue reading

"The Coast 89.7 segment only notes the context of violence against Israelis, without noting the greater violence against Palestinians. You mention a shooting against Israelis which took place on January 27th; however, you fail to mention the preceding large-scale Israeli attack on the Jenin refugee camp on January 26th, where at least ten Palestinians were killed by Israeli forces, three being civilians, including two children, marking the deadliest single day in the West Bank since 2005. The Israeli raid was preceded by a more than weeklong siege of Jericho by Israeli military forces." Continue reading

"Overall, the article does a fine job at providing context for the recent rise in tensions and violence in the Israeli-occupied West Bank and Jerusalem. However, I would like to draw your attention to two significant issues. First, the article mentions that Hamas “rules the Gaza strip.” Referring to Gaza only as “the Gaza strip” obscures the fact that Gaza is militarily-occupied territory according to international law. In doing so, the article fails to adequately describe the oppressive situation that Palestinians in Gaza face, and does not properly capture the severe restrictions as a result of Israel’s 15 year-long illegal blockade and siege.[1] The Arab and Middle Eastern Journalists Association (AMEJA) encourages journalists to avoid the language of “Hamas-controlled” or “Hamas-ruled” for this same reason, as it minimizes Israel’s control as an occupying power.[2]" Continue reading

"We applaud you for shedding light on the tragic story of a Palestinian family killed in Turkey’s earthquake, among seventy other Palestinians who were victims of the natural disaster. It is imperative for publications like Saltwire to provide the Palestinian perspective to Canadian audiences. However, the article is missing context which is crucial for readers to be able to understand the reality of the Israeli occupation. In the article, you mention that Abu Jalhoum “fled war and poverty in the Palestinian territory of Gaza.” Referring to Gaza only as “Palestinian territory” obscures the fact that Gaza is militarily-occupied territory according to international law. In doing so, the article fails to adequately describe the oppressive situation that Palestinians in Gaza face, and does not properly capture the severe restrictions as a result of Israel’s 15 year-long illegal blockade and siege.[1]" Continue reading

"The article sheds light on the controversial International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism which is being proposed as part of a larger anti-racism motion to city council. We thank you for mentioning the U.N. report which criticizes IHRA, and for briefly noting some of the key concerns. However, I would like to point out a number of areas where this discussion could be strengthened. First, you write that “some groups, including one Jewish group, claim it could curtail criticism of Israel and Zionism.” This sentence fails to capture the strong opposition by many Canadian civil society groups against the adoption of IHRA. If your article mentioned some of these prominent and respected organizations, it would be clear to the reader that the opposition to IHRA is widespread and based on serious concerns." Continue reading