The Media Accountability Project  

Conflating a pro-Palestinian protest chant with antisemitism is neither fair nor accurate; it rests on an exaggerated interpretation presented as fact. This is not fair or balanced journalism.

"Passifiume vilifies pro-Palestinian demonstrators as “intimidators,” conflates anti-Zionism with antisemitism, and relies on footage from a right-wing influencer without disclosure"

"This framing misrepresents CJPME’s advocacy for Palestine human rights by conflating criticisms of Israel’s human rights violations of Palestinians as antisemitic in nature. In fact, such conflation which perpetuates a harmful narrative equating Palestine solidarity with antisemitism is a clear example of anti-Palestinian racism, as defined by the Arab Canadian Lawyers Association and the federal government through the Canadian Guide to Understanding and Combating Islamophobia."

On October 20, 2025, the Black Press media outlet Penticton Western News  published an article titled “Penticton Summerland MLA to exit BC Conservative caucus over party leader.”

In the original version, the story made unsubstantiated claims of antisemitism directed at CJPME:

“The only post that Rustad might have referred to or considered anti-semitic was a copy of a message partially preserved by the Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East group where Boultbee blasted the United Nations for not doing anything while children in Gaza were being killed and said that war crimes and genocide were being streamed in 4K.”

CJPME’s post merely documented MLA Amelia Boultbee’s deleted Facebook statement condemning Israel’s war crimes and the killing of civilians in Gaza. There was absolutely nothing antisemitic in our content. By suggesting that our post “could be considered antisemitic,” the journalist inserted a subjective and baseless opinion unsupported by evidence or context. The phrasing by Black Press reporter Brennan Phillips misrepresented CJPME’s work while reinforcing anti-Palestinian racism in the media that criticism of Israeli actions is equivalent to antisemitism.

Following a letter by CJPME Media Analyst Anthony Issa demanding a correction, Penticton Western News revised the story to remove the false implication.

The graph was reworked as follows:

The only post that Boultbee has shared that references Gaza or Israel is in a now-deleted Facebook post that was shared and partially preserved by the Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East group.

 The following editor’s note was added at the end of the article:

“This story has been updated to clarify language that it was Rustad who claimed Boultbee shared anti-semitic messaging, and the CJPME’s post did not contain antisemitic material, nor was there any basis for implying otherwise.”

This correction and editor’s note represent an important acknowledgment of CJPME’s accurate and legitimate advocacy. CJPME will not allow journalists or media outlets to misrepresent our advocacy for Palestinian human rights or smear us as antisemitic for speaking the truth.

On September 17, 2025, The Suburban published a letter-to-the-editor from CJPME responding to Editor-in-Chief Beryl Wajsman’s September 10 editorial, “Selective Solidarity.”

Wajsman’s piece accused Montreal of prioritizing Islamophobia over antisemitism, suggesting the city’s anti-racism policies “implicitly excluded Jews.” CJPME’s published response pointed out the dangers of framing antisemitism and Islamophobia as being in competition, stressing that both hatreds are deeply intertwined and must be fought together.

CJPME also criticized The Suburban for accompanying the editorial with a photo implying that Palestinian human rights protests are inherently antisemitic, and for promoting false claims that the UN had fabricated famine conditions in Gaza. Our letter set the record straight, explaining the real context of UN food security standards and highlighting extensive evidence that Israel is deliberately starving Palestinians.

By publishing CJPME’s letter, The Suburban gave space to push back against anti-Palestinian racism in its pages. A rare acknowledgement in a paper that too often excludes or stereotypes Palestinians.

CJPME will continue to confront biased narratives and demand fair, fact-based reporting on Palestine.

Ga’ava partner CIJA describes itself as “the voice of the organized Jewish and pro-Israel communities in Canada.” Is it a stretch that advocates for a state committing genocide might not be welcome in a parade celebrating human rights?

CJPME supports a neutral, transparent investigation that considers all credible allegations. Calls for accountability are not directed at any group or nationality, but reflect Canada’s legal responsibility to uphold international norms and prevent impunity

"My concern is with the missing context for why the words ‘Feed Me’ were chosen to be the subject of the vandalism. The article clearly references Israel and the ‘conflict in the Middle East’ with quotes from both Deborah Lyons and Lawrence Greenspon."

"In fact, conflating legitimate criticism of Israel—an apartheid state and occupying power currently waging an ongoing genocide against Palestinians in the occupied Gaza Strip—with antisemitism is itself a form of antisemitism, as it erases the distinction between a political ideology and Jewish identity."

The op-ed misleadingly claims that some demonstrations outside synagogues occurred during Israeli “real estate events” held inside. What it fails to mention is that these so-called “real estate events” are about the selling of occupied Palestinian land, which is illegal under international law. To omit this crucial context and to frame these protests as one against a place of worship is a cynical and dangerous attempt to smear legitimate opposition to illegal Israeli occupation and land theft of Palestinian land.