The following motion was passed at tonight’s branch meeting.
At the time of writing, more than 14,000 people have been killed in Israel’s offensive on Gaza. The scale of suffering inflicted on the captive population beggars belief. Several humanitarian organisations have described the ongoing atrocities as genocide and ethnic cleansing. This branch is horrified by the deliberate and indiscriminate targeting of civilians, churches, mosques, hospitals and universities. An immediate, permanent ceasefire is overdue.
This branch abhors the targeting of civilians by Israel and Hamas and welcomes the release of those held by both sides. The branch notes that many of those released by Israel, including children, had been held in administrative detention without charge or trial.
This branch is especially concerned about the situation of journalists, particularly those in Gaza, who continue to be prevented from doing their job by Israeli troops and by the restrictions imposed. The branch is horrified that at least 58 journalists and media workers have been killed covering Israel/Palestine since 7 October, according to the International Federation of Journalists. Targeting journalists is a breach of international law.
This branch is deeply concerned about how many media outlets have portrayed Palestinian civilians compared to Israelis, as well as the censorship and retribution that some journalists and media workers in Britain have said they are facing in response to their support for Palestinians.
This branch believes:
- That journalists should not be censored for their support of Palestine.
- That journalists have the right to freedom of expression.
- That the role of the media is to report fairly, accurately and impartially, avoiding reliance on a single source and making every effort to ensure that inaccurate information is not broadcast.
This branch resolves:
- To respond to the call from the Palestinian Journalists’ Syndicate and the IFJ and to donate £1,000 to the IFJ Safety Fund.
- To call on the NEC to donate to the Medical Aid for Palestinians.
- To contact the NEC to support the holding of an open meeting for NUJ members across all branches to discuss the situation in Palestine, its coverage in the British media and how this is impacting NUJ members.
- To give practical and financial assistance (up to £400) to putting on the meeting and any subsequent organising around the issue.
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