Did the efforts of Israeli civilians and security forces defending themselves against relentless Palestinian terror “cost the lives of more than 300 Palestinians”? Contrary to a Toronto Star article on May 7, this claim is demonstrably false.

In an article entitled: “Israel needs new agenda, analyst says,” Star reporter Olivia Ward interviewed Israeli analyst Yossi Alpher and the following was erroneously stated:

“Although he believes the rash of Palestinian stabbings, shootings and automobile attacks on Israeli civilians — which have cost the lives of more than 30 Israelis and 300 Palestinians — do not amount to a “third intifada,” more serious violence could break out at any time.”

As we told the Toronto Star, this statement is both incorrect and misleads Toronto Star readers. Firstly, about 200 (not 300) Palestinians have been killed and Israel says that most were attackers, or they had otherwise participated in clashes with Israeli soldiers during violent riots.

Consider the following recent report from BBC.com which stated the following:

“Since October, 29 Israelis have been killed in stabbings, shootings or car-rammings by Palestinians or Israeli Arabs.

About 200 Palestinians – mostly attackers, Israel says – have also been killed in that time.

The assailants who have been killed have either been shot dead by their victims or security forces as they carried out attacks. Some attackers have been arrested. Other Palestinians have been killed in clashes with Israeli troops.”

The “rash of Palestinian stabbing, shooting, and automobile attacks on Israelis” did not “cost the lives of more than… 300 Palestinians”, these individuals (200 of whom), Israel claims carried out these terror attacks on Israeli innocents and several Americans, along with engaging in violent riots with Israeli soldiers.

Commendably, after calling on the Star to set the record straight, the following correction notice was published today (May 11, 2016):

We thank the Toronto Star for its commitment to accuracy.