13 July 2007
The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) in the United Kingdom has decided to cancel its controversial boycott of Israeli products. An NUJ statement released on Tuesday said the union’s National Executive Committee had “called for members to unite behind the union’s key workplace priorities” as opposed to boycotting Israel. The statement went on to say the NUJ “unanimously backed a motion drawing a line under the row over the Israeli boycott call.”
The motion, tabled by general secretary Jeremy Dear and NUJ president Michelle Stanistreet, recognized the concerns expressed by some members and branches about the proposed boycott and the NUJ resolved “to take no further action” over the boycott call. The original boycott motion was passed by 66 votes to 54 at the NUJ’s annual delegates meeting in Birmingham in April. It caused a large amount of upset with numerous journalists and academics speaking out against the idea.
Other British trades unions have, however, continued to back boycotts of Israeli products in protest against what they see as harsh policies of the Israeli government against the Palestinians, prompting accusations of racism and anti-Semitism. The NUJ dismissed suggestions of this. “The motion also rejected firmly any allegations that the union was anti-Semitic or racist and reaffirmed the union’s commitment to fighting racism in all its forms,” a statement said.
