UK Politics

NUJ abandons Israel boycott

The Guardian is reporting that The National Union of Journalists will take “no further action” on implementing the resolution by its members to boycott Israeli goods and services.

The NUJ’s national executive took the decision and has called for members to unite instead behind the union’s “key workplace priorities” after the rather sad vote at its annual conference in April for the boycott, which was passed by 66 votes to 54.

The executive has unanimously backed a motion that recognised the NUJ would take no further action on the call for an Israeli boycott because the Trades Union Congress has rejected it.

The motion was tabled by the NUJ general secretary, Jeremy Dear, and seconded by the union president, Michelle Stanistreet, at a national executive council.

The decision comes ahead of tomorrow night’s Engage meeting, supported by the Euston Manifesto Group, and organised against the boycott-Israel campaign. The meeting is sold out now, but for those lucky enough to be going you’ll get to hear the likes of John Mann MP, Adrian Cohen (London Jewish Forum), Tim Dawson (NUJ Executive, personal capacity), David Hirsh, Jane Ashworth, Eve Garrard and Robert Fine among others.