The Media Accountability Project  

It is rare to see, in mainstream media, an article  this honest and direct that clearly assigns responsibility to Israel: Jacob Flickinger is murdered by the Israeli military, Israel is barring relatives of Canadians from exiting Gaza, Canadian-funded aid is denied entry by Israeli authorities.

"The use of the word 'operation' to describe Israel’s military siege on Al-Shifa hospital is particularly problematic. Please precede the word 'operation' with 'military,” or opt for the most specific description: 'military siege'."

On April 11, 2024, two different CJPME letters to the editor were published in the Toronto Star and the Waterloo Region Record that challenged problematic op-eds.

In the Toronto Star, Michael Levitt of the Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Centre wrote a piece bashing pro-Palestine protesters on the day of Eid al-Fitr. You can read CJPME’s response here.

In the Waterloo Region Record, Robert Walker of Honest Reporting Canada regurgitated IDF talking points without any real depth or insight. You can read CJPME’s response here.

"Personally, even in Kelowna, I have watched my Muslim friends struggling through both Ramadan and now Eid al-Fitr, given the horrifying reality of life for Palestinians living in the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza."

The conflation of antisemitism and anti-Zionism has real-world consequences. Canadians are losing their jobs for speaking out against genocide precisely because of pressure from pro-Israel lobby groups. No one should face such harsh consequences for opposing the genocide unfolding in Gaza.

"The human cost, as of April 8, is that at least 33207 Gazans have been killed by Israel, including 14500 children, 489 health workers and 243 aid workers, and 75933 have been wounded."

Robert Walker's argument hinges solely upon the official narratives disseminated by Israeli military and intelligence agencies. Refuting each of these assertions feels like an exercise in futility, as there are those who adhere to Israeli claims regardless of the overwhelming evidence to the contrary.

On April 5, 2024, CJPME learned that Globe and Mail’s Standards Editor, Sandra E. Martin, resolved issues with her article following a CJPME complaint. The article false claimed that “Gaza” was limiting journalists’ access to the region. Not only is Gaza not a government, it is Israel who is limiting access to journalists.

Unfortunately, her correction uses passive language and does not identify Israel as being responsible for denying Gaza a free press. CJPME has expressed its dissatisfaction with the change, but is glad the falsehood was resolved nonetheless.

Thank you for publishing such an opinion article about the history of Palestine and Palestinians and for reminding the need for the West to give space to it. I hope you will continue to publish such pieces.

"Giving a platform to PACBI and talking about Justice would have been more appropriate as it all starts by recognizing and dismantling Israel’s 76 years of regime."