The Media Accountability Project  

«Je tiens à saluer La Presse et Madame El-Ghadban pour avoir publié une lettre inspirante en soutien aux étudiants du campement de McGill et aux Palestiniens de Gaza. Le boycott des étudiants contre la complicité de l'Université McGill dans le génocide à Gaza est un effort important et admirable, malgré les difficultés auxquelles le campement a dû faire face.»

Given that the Palestinian death toll is nearing 40,000 and the majority of those killed are women, children, and elderly folks, the term “Israel-Hamas war” has been rendered obsolete. Israel has launched a “war” on a group of largely defenseless civilians and Hamas, militarily, is out financed and outnumbered by Israel’s power.

"Thank you for also pointing out that not only Dr. Thomson's but many other voices for Palestine are being stifled by institutions. I was especially pleased to see the link to your November 24, 2023 article, " A chill has crept into Ontario's health sector..." We can still ask the same question you asked then: "" In what world are doctors saying "stop killing" or "don't bomb hospitals" contradicting their professional, moral, or ethical obligations?" "

"Your article also drew attention to the incongruence of Hikvision’s actions and their words. They may state in their  2022 Environmental, Social and Governance Report that they “avoid actions that impede human rights …and that they operate within the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights,” but their actions de facto contradict these principles."

Your article highlights a series of events as part of Israeli Apartheid Week (IAW) in Montreal. The article also reports on the rally organized by Solidarity for Palestinian Human Rights (SPHR) at McGill and calls attention to McGill’s partnerships with Israeli institutions complicit in the occupation of Palestine. It is also crucial for McGill students to know about the $29 million donation by notorious anti-Palestinian Zionist billionaire Sylvan Adams to build the Sylvan Adams Sports Science Institute (SASSI) in partnership with Tel Aviv University.

"The second news segment titled 'Hopes for a Palestinian state further recede under Israel’s new government' offers excellent coverage of the effect of Israel’s far-right policies on Palestinians in the occupied West Bank. Your segment also calls attention to the perspective of Palestinians critical of the Palestinian Authority and their collaboration with Israeli forces. This is critical reporting that accurately represents Palestinian voices on the ground.

Thank you for your coverage and I hope that you continue to highlight important Palestinian stories for Canadian audiences."

I am pleased to see that you have written an article detailing student advocacy towards academic divestment from companies complicit in human rights violations. I am especially happy to see that you mention Israel, which continues to enforce an apartheid system that oppresses and dominates Palestinians.

"Even though Canada is a member of the Rome Statute, it has consistently opposed investigations into Israeli war crimes. Just last November, Canada opposed a United Nations motion which would require an opinion from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on the illegality of Israel’s occupation. Canada’s excuse is that “since it doesn’t recognize a Palestinian state, it wouldn’t recognize Palestine’s accession to international treaties.” However, 138 member states do in fact recognize a Palestinian state and ironically, Canada has voted in favour of Palestinian self-determination."

"I commend you for rightfully highlighting the criticism of Israel’s 'questionable democratic credentials' due to their treatment of Palestinians. This is an important critique, one backed effectively by a 200+ page Amnesty International report titled 'Israel’s apartheid against Palestinians: Cruel system of domination and crime against humanity.' Israel’s treatment of the Palestinians is necessary context for understanding the nature and quality of Israel’s democratic institutions, and this should be included in all coverage of Israel’s judicial reforms."