The Media Accountability Project  

"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

"According to an investigation by the Palestinian human rights NGO, Defence for Children International – Palestine (DCIP), 16-year-old Hamza Ashqar was killed while he was with a group of youth confronting Israeli military vehicles which had invaded the Palestinian city of Nablus in the occupied West Bank. DCIP reports that these youth were unarmed" Continue reading

"The article does a good job of analyzing this event and its implications for academic freedom and democracy, and provides a much-needed Palestinian perspective. These viewpoints are often overlooked or erased in the national discourse about Palestine-Israel. By republishing this article, National Post is contributing to much-needed professional, diverse, and fair-minded coverage on this issue." Continue reading

"Throughout the program, Jericho is described simply as being in Palestine or the “Palestinian Territories,” but does not specify that it is occupied territory. Similarly, a map shows Jericho within an outline of the West Bank, but does not identify it nor specify that it is occupied. Instead, the segment uses the language of “enduring border disputes” and of two parties “claim[ing] and “fight[ing] over the same territory.”  Continue reading

"Unfortunately, the article failed to provide sufficient information and lacked necessary context for the readers to be able to understand the nature of Israel’s actions. In particular, your article only notes the context of violence against Israelis, without noting the greater violence against Palestinians. First, the article fails to mention that Israel’s raid on Aqabat Jabr refugee camp in Jericho took place after the city had been under an Israeli siege for more than a week, and was one of multiple attacks on residents.[2] Second, the raid took place just ten days after a large-scale Israeli attack on the Jenin refugee camp, where at least nine Palestinians were killed by Israeli forces, three being civilians including two children, marking the deadliest single day in the West Bank since 2005.[3] This attack was condemned by UN experts arguing that it contributed to “a dangerous trajectory of violence in the occupied West Bank.”[4]" Continue reading

"We appreciated your coverage for a number of reasons, including: The fact that you included b-roll footage of Palestinians in Jenin, highlighting the impact on Jenin society as a result of these killings The fact that you included the perspective of both a Palestinian bystander, and a spokesperson for the Palestinian president The fact that you mentioned how Israel’s newly elected ultranationalist government is not only enflaming tensions through hardline policies, but encouraging the government to use violence more freely against Palestinians" Continue reading

"The most egregious assertion by Mr. Lipshitz during the broadcast was, “The Palestinian Authority promotes a program called Pay to Slay.” This is absolutely false. The Palestinian Authority (PA) has no program called “Pay to Slay,” and this is a misleading and slanderous assertion by Lipshitz. The PA does have a welfare program for Palestinian prisoners and their families which is often referred to in English as the “Martyr’s Fund.” This program is viewed as “vital welfare that compensate[s] for an unfair military-run justice system, provide[s] income for families who have lost their primary breadwinners and enable[s] released prisoners to reintegrate into society.”" Continue reading

"By failing to include the article on Israel’s admission of guilt in the print edition of the Globe, you appear to engage in an act of self-censorship. After months of reporting on Israel’s denials, it is particularly perplexing why the Globe chose not to include Israel’s ultimate admission of responsibility in its print edition.  Such self-censorship undermines the Globe’s journalistic standards and poorly reflects its commitment to keeping Canadians informed via impartial coverage." Continue reading