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 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. Members can also sign an open letter to the UK government and donate to the IFJ Safety Fund, which offers practical help and solidarity.
Dublin
On Monday 11 August 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. Dooley also read a message from an Al Jazeera journalist thanking NUJ members for their support:
"Such solidarity means a lot - it may not seem much for someone in Dublin to spend an hour in town at a demo, but showing international support and solidarity is so important."
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
On Tuesday 12 August, the Edinburgh & District branch organised an emergency protest 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 took place at the east end of Princes Street opposite Waverley Station. Hilary Horrocks, Edinburgh & District branch vice-chair, called for continued demonstrations as well as donations to the IFJ Safety Fund, saying: "These last remaining journalists have been murdered to stop them bearing witness as Netenyahu prepares his deadliest yet attack on Gaza City."
© Craig MacLean
Cardiff
Natasha Hirst, former NUJ president, spoke on behalf of the South Wales branch and Welsh Executive Council at a rally by the Nye Bevan statue in Cardiff on Tuesday evening. Hirst thanked those attending for their solidarity and highlighted the NUJ's tireless campaigning alongside the IFJ to support journalists in Gaza. Hirst reiterated that there is an embargo on international media while Palestinian journalists are being targeted and killed for sharing the truth of what is happening in Gaza with the world.
London
On Wednesday 13 August, the London Freelance branch held a vigil outside Downing Street in London. Those attending held commemorative cards and read the names of colleagues killed in Gaza by Israeli military action. Pennie Quinton, London Freelance branch chair, and branch member Mariam Elsayeh gave powerful speeches demanding action from the UK government, including supporting 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. John McDonnell MP, NUJ parliamentary group secretary, highlighted the UK government's complicity in the continued targeting and killing and journalists.
© Mark Thomas
Laura Davison, NUJ general secretary, attended the vigil and made the following speech:
"I’m here like all of you to show solidarity. Solidarity with journalist colleagues, targeted and killed by the Israeli military, and those who died alongside them. And to remember all those journalists who have been killed carrying out their work in this most deadly of conflicts.
"We owe a collective debt to those reporting from Gaza in the most horrendous of circumstances. They are representing our profession - that commitment to reporting what is happening on the ground whatever the cost. And they have paid the price. They are the eyes and ears of the world on the ground.
"We are here calling for independent investigations into the crime of killing journalists. We renew our calls for international media access to Gaza with urgency. It cannot be acceptable for local journalists to carry this burden alone. We are here calling for a UN convention specifically on the safety of journalists as a global right and expectation.
"The solidarity shown in NUJ branches around the UK and Ireland this week has been heartfelt and inspiring. And it has been heard and seen. We have received messages back that it makes a difference on the ground knowing that fellow professionals are standing together in support and saying no to the murder of journalists.
"So I would like to thank you all for that solidarity, to the branch for organising the event, and to all NUJ members for your tireless campaigning alongside the IFJ to give our support to journalists in danger in Gaza and around the world."
© David Ayrton
Bristol
The South West England branch held a vigil on Friday 15 August, highlighting that the safety of journalists is a cornerstone of press freedom and the ability to tell the truth. Ray Tostevin, South West England branch chair, gave a powerful speech condemning the deliberate targeted killing of journalists in Gaza by Israeli forces: “When governments or government agents attempt to suppress the truth by force, we must all be on our guard and ready to speak out.” Alex Morss read the will made public by Al Jazeera reporter Anas al-Sharif before he was killed. Morss said: “The fact that journalists are writing their own death messages and posting them on social media reveals the horrific reality of their work.”
© Simon Chapman
Glasgow
The Glasgow branch held a solidarity vigil to honour journalists and media colleagues killed in Gaza on Friday, 22 August at Buchanan Street Steps.
© Jeremy Sutton-Hibbert