The Media Accountability Project  

On June 2, 2023, CJPME launched an alert in response to an Associated Press article published by Toronto Star. The article, “Palestinian toddler critically wounded in West Bank, Israeli military says shooting unintentional,” failed to cite Palestinian sources but relied heavily on Israeli military accounts. At the time of publication, other media outlets were already casting reasonable doubt on the veracity of the Israeli military narrative.

Associated Press is an international wire service responsible for a significant amount of Canada’s media coverage on Israel and Palestine.

Following a barrage of complaints from our media responders, the article was updated to provide more context and a quote was provided from Haitham Aal-Tamimi, the father of Mohammad Aal-Tamimi, a 2-year-old Palestinian boy who was shot in the head by Israeli troops and died days later from his wound.

A subsequent article on the same attack, “Palestinian toddler shot by Israeli troops in West Bank dies of wounds,” was written by AP on June 5 and included more comments from Palestinians and the perspectives of human rights groups.

At the time of writing, 27 Palestinian children have been killed in 2023 according to Defense for Children International – Palestine. Read their statement on Mohammad Aal-Tamimi’s murder here.

"You omit that the village of al-Mughayyir has been under a blockade by Israeli military forces for over 2 weeks. According to Wafa News Agency, the Israeli army has sealed the two entrances of al-Mughayyir for over 14 days, preventing Palestinians villagers from entering or leaving, and forcing them to take long rough roads to reach their destination. This blockade further restricts Palestinians’ freedom of movement who already face restrictions through fixed checkpoints, settler-only roads, and other physical obstructions."

"In past articles, you have done more to explain to the reader what collective punishment is and the impact it has on Palestinians. It is a violation of Article 33 of the Fourth Geneva Convention as well as many other international laws. Please provide readers with a definition of collective punishment that makes reference to international law."

I appreciate that you bring attention to the distress felt by the disabled siblings after they received a phone call from Israeli forces warning of an imminent airstrike on their home. Necessary mobility equipment, like wheelchairs for the disabled siblings, was left behind as they were forced to flee their homes. However, in your reporting of Israel’s airstrikes on Gaza, you mention that 15 residential blocks were destroyed without mentioning the loss of Palestinian lives.

Your story pins the responsibility for these attacks — which killed numerous children and other innocent civilians — on Gazan militants due to apparent “rocket launches” that Israel was responding to. What rocket launches are you referencing? The last rocket launches from Gaza happened on May 2, which Israel had already responded to, as reported by the Associated Press. Early on May 3 following the exchange of violence, a ceasefire went into effect that was agreed to by both sides.

On May 9, Israel unilaterally violated the ceasefire that had been reached a week earlier. Unprovoked, Israel launched an airstrike that killed 13 Palestinians in Gaza on Tuesday alone. This included 4 children and 6 other civilians. Israel breaking the ceasefire is what led to the risk of an “all-out war” as you referred to it.

"Simply put, there were no rocket launches fired from Gaza. The last rocket launches from Gaza happened on May 2, which Israel had already responded to, as reported by the Associated Press. Consequently, on May 3 following the exchange of violence, a ceasefire went into effect that was agreed to by both sides."

Your news segment reported that Israel’s latest airstrike attack on Gaza has killed “4 senior militants and at least 25 people.” It is frankly disappointing that you fail to correctly describe the “25 people” killed as civilians, including at least 4 children.  

By omitting the fact that civilians were killed in Israel’s latest attack on Gaza, you are presenting the narrative preferred by the Israeli military, which says that any Palestinian living in Gaza is a “target.”

"Your news segment reported that 'Israeli airstrikes killed at least 16 Palestinians in Gaza.' However, you fail to mention that, most of the casualties were Palestinian civilians, including at least 4 children. In fact, this number has since increased. As of yet, at least 28 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli air strikes in Gaza, many of whom are civilians.

By omitting the fact that civilians were killed in Israel’s latest attack on Gaza, you are presenting the narrative preferred by the Israeli military, which says that any Palestinian living in Gaza is a 'target.'"

"You lead by citing the intentions of the Israeli military. That they “targeted three senior Islamic Jihad commanders” and that they called their airstrikes “pinpoint.” You made a point of adding an emphatic “but.” After citing official Israeli military sources, you continued, “but at least 10 civilians, including four children were also killed.” It could hardly be graver. Many in the international community are already calling this attack, and others by Israel against Gazans, war crimes."

"Civilians were definitely impacted by the airstrikes. Your online segment reported that “13 people were killed’ as a result of the airstrikes. However, you failed to mention that most of the casualties were Palestinian civilians including at least 4 children and 4 women; and that 18 people were injured. Included in that death toll was a well-known dentist, Dr. Jamal Khaswan and his family. They lived on the top floor of one of the residential buildings that Israel ‘targeted’."