Wednesday 10th July 2007
STOP THE BOYCOTT CAMPAIGN welcomes NUJ decision to drop their boycott of Israel
"We believe this is a triumph for common sense, boycotts are not the way forward"
Stop The Boycott welcomes the NUJ's decision to drop their proposed boycott of Israel.
Jeremy Newmark, the Chief Executive of the Jewish Leadership Council, said:
"This is an honourable decision and a victory for common sense. It shows that the NUJ leadership are attuned to the wishes of their membership, and should serve as an example to the leaders of other trade unions. This is a shot in the arm for the anti-boycott movement in the UK and the beginning of a backlash against the extreme positions of the pro-boycott camp."
Lorna Fitzsimons, the Chief Executive of BICOM said:
"This is a vindication of the members of the NUJ who do not want their union to boycott Israel. This vote is instructive to all the trade unions whose conferences are voting to boycott Israel - the rank and file do not want it. We believe that the decision not to boycott is a triumph for common sense: boycotts are not the way forward for the Middle East. The idea that there should be a lack of dialogue and engagement at this key time is patently ridiculous."
Notes for editors
- The NUJ passed a motion boycotting Israeli goods by 66-54 votes
at their Annual Delegate Meeting. - NUJ grassroots members led a campaign against the boycott
- Technology correspondent Rory Cellan-Jones led the anti-boycott
campaign in BBC. NUJ Chapels at ITN, Reuters and the Observer -
among others - passed policy opposing a boycott of Israel. - The NUJ Executive has committed to continuing to work with Israeli
journalist unions - That have stated they will take no action on the boycott motion after
communicating with the TUC.
