Britse journalistenvakbond blaast boycot Israël af

Eindelijk weer wat goed nieuws over de boycot Israël rage. Eerder al draaiden de Amerikaanse Presbyteriaanse kerk en de Verenigde Kerk van Christus (UCC) hun boycots van Israël terug. Ook de Britse bond van leraren in het hoger onderwijs (AUT) herriep haar aanvankelijke boycot oproep, maar de nieuwe fusiebond UCU nam later wederom een boycot-resolutie aan. De strijd tussen voor- en tegenstanders van een boycot zal voorlopig nog wel even voortduren.

De Palestijnse PACBI campagne voor een academische en culturele boycot van Israël is tegen vrede en verzoening en streeft naar de ontmanteling van de Joodse staat.

 

Abby

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UK journalist union cancels Israel boycott

http://www.ejpress.org/article/18302

By Jeremy Last Updated: 11/Jul/2007 23:16

LONDON (EJP)---The National Union of Journalists has decided to cancel a planned boycott of Israeli products which caused massive controversy amongst the journalistic world. An NUJ statement released on Tuesday said the union's National Executive Committee has "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 NEC "unanimously backed a motion drawing a line under the row over the Israeli boycott call." The motion, tabled by General Secretary Jeremy Dear and seconded by President Michelle Stanistreet recognised the concerns expressed by some members, chapels and branches about the proposed boycott. And the NUJ resolved "to take no further action" over the boycott call. Controversial move 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 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," the union said.. Full coperation Stressing the NUJ's commitment to cooperate with Israeli journalists, the statement added that the "NEC also reaffirms to continue our past efforts to engage our sister union in Israel, the National Federation of Israeli Journalists and instructs the General Secretary to continue to seek to cooperate with them on issues of common interest." Lorna Fitzsimons, chief executive of the Britain Israel Communications and Research Centre was pleased with the decision. "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," she told the Jerusalem Post.

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