NUJ members hold vigils and protests for colleagues killed in Gaza
Following the killing of five Al Jazeera staff and a freelance photojournalist by Israeli forces on Sunday, NUJ members across the UK and Ireland are holding emergency vigils and protests in solidarity with colleagues killed.
According to the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) at least 195 journalists and media workers - including 181 Palestinians - have been killed since 7 October 2023, making this the deadliest war for our profession in recent history.
The NUJ has deplored the killings and supported calls for an investigation into the actions of the Israel government. The union is also encouraging chapels and branches to hold solidarity vigils at branches and workplaces over the coming days to protest against the killing of colleagues in Gaza. We have also produced graphics that can be downloaded from the website.
Dublin
Yesterday evening more than 250 people gathered in the centre of Dublin for a protest vigil organised by NUJ members in solidarity with Al Jazeera journalists killed in a targeted attack sanctioned by the Israeli government. Emma O'Kelly, Dublin Broadcasting branch chair, told the vigil there was no justification for the actions of Israel and no evidence to support the claims that any of the journalists were agents of Hamas.
Séamus Dooley, NUJ assistant general secretary, said the killings were an obscenity. Civilians not linked to Al Jazeera had also been killed in the attack, treated as collateral damage. Dooley echoed calls for an international investigation into Israel's ongoing targeting of journalists, pointing out that the NUJ and IFJ have for many years been demanding into previous targeting of journalists.
Oonagh Smyth, RTÉ Current Affairs branch chair, read profiles of the dead journalists while Anas al-Sharif's will was read by freelance journalist Stephen Bourke. An emotional address was given by Palestinian journalist Dr. Asad Abushark, who recalled his personal and professional memories of al-Sharif. Abushark said the killing of the journalists was part of a policy of the government to silent the media.
© John McElroy
Derry
At short notice, the Derry & North West branch were delighted that around 40 people - including NUJ members, local media, and the Derry Council of Trade Unions - supported a vigil at The Guildhall in Derry on Monday evening.
Eamonn McCann, NUJ member of honour, said that while our union was normally engaged in improving and maintaining the pay and conditions of members, the issue of free speech, and the safety and welfare of journalists througtout the world is alway a primary concern. He pointed out that the killings of Anas al-Sharif and his colleagues from Al Jazeera were the latest in an unprecedented targeting of journalists in Gaza. However, he pointed out, the murder of journalists by Israeli forces began long before 7 October 2023. Shireen Abu Akleh, also a prominent journalist with Al Jazeera, was targeted and shot dead over two years ago.
“This is a deliberate assassination of prominent journalists who are doing their job of reporting the news,” McCann said. “They were well known as journalists and had been doing the job long before they were killed deliberately. They were truth tellers and they lost their lives for that.”
© Aodhán Roberts
Belfast
Belfast & District branch organised a solidarity vigil for journalists and media workers in Gaza at Writer’s Square in Belfast on Monday.
Anne Hailes, Belfast & District branch chair, said: “We are meeting at the same time as colleagues in Dublin to remember hundreds of comrades who have lost their lives in wars through the Middle East, Ukraine, Africa in fact round the world and at home. We will think especially of the five men who were murdered at the weekend in Gaza.”
Kevin Cooper, NUJ member of honour, said: “NUJ members in Northern Ireland received support and solidarity over the years.” Kevin also reflected on the killing of NUJ members Martin O’Hagan and Lyra McKee and how important it is to show solidarity with journalists and media workers, first responders and citizens in Gaza. He finished with a call to end impunity for crimes against journalists and media workers around the world.
Edinburgh
The Edinburgh and District branch have organised an emergency protest at 6pm today (Tuesday 12 August) to demand an end to Israeli attacks on journalists, a complete embargo on UK arms exports to Israel and an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. The protest will take place at the east end of Princes Street opposite Waverley Station.
London
On Wednesday 13 August, the London Freelance branch will hold a vigil outside Downing Street in London. Members will hold cards and read the names of each of the colleagues who are confirmed to have been killed in Gaza by Israeli military action. Branch members will demand action from the UK government, including to support an investigation by the International Criminal Court into the blatant targeting of journalists and media workers by Israeli forces, as well as the passage of a binding UN convention on the safety of journalists and other media professionals.
