UK government responds to NUJ concerns over journalists in Palestine
The union says more needs to be done to end the death toll for journalists, calls for the bombardments to cease and international effort to secure a just, sustainable peace and a future of respectful coexistence – one that delivers security, dignity and a future for all.
Grahame Morris MP, chair of the Parliamentary Group raised the issue of Palestinian journalists in Gaza. The union has received reports that the Israeli Defence Force is deliberately attacking journalists. Israel is blocking journalists entering Gaza to cover the Israel-Gaza conflict, and it is local journalists who are being targeted. The International Federation of Journalists’ 2023 list of media workers killed records the highest number of deaths in recent years, including 75 Palestinian, four Israeli and three Lebanese journalists killed.
The response from Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon, minister of state (Middle East, North Africa, South Asia, Commonwealth and the UN) said:
“Journalists covering conflicts are afforded protection under International Humanitarian Law as they are civilians. Therefore, deliberate attacks against them are forbidden and if they are detained, this must be on justified grounds… The Prime Minister has raised directly with his Israeli counterparts the need to act in line with International Humanitarian Law. Israeli President Herzog has also said Israel will abide by international law. It is vital that all parties ensure that their actions are proportionate, necessary and minimise harm to civilians.”
Michelle Stanistreet, NUJ general secretary, said:
“Reassurances that the UK government is pressing Israel about its obligations under international law is useful and important. However, given the reality of the scale of killings of journalists in Gaza – the only source of information and news for the watching world – is clear and overwhelming, it is also the case that more needs to be done. Look at the proportion of deaths of Palestinian workers in other sectors, and it is clear both that the death toll for journalists is at a deeply troubling scale and that killings of media workers are now at a level unprecedented in any previous conflict. The anecdotal evidence of journalists and their homes being targeted is mounting, and we stand by our colleagues in the Palestinian Journalists’ Syndicate who are supporting their members in circumstances that are unimaginable to most of us.
“The NUJ reiterates its call for the bombardments to cease and for all necessary international effort to be deployed to secure a just, sustainable peace and a future of respectful coexistence – one that delivers security, dignity and a future for all.”
Donate to the IFJ's safety fund to help support the provision of essential equipment and aid to journalists globally.
Full letter
Dear Grahame,
Thank you for your correspondence of 1 December to the Foreign Secretary about the protection of journalists in Palestine. I am replying as the Minister of State for the Middle East and Human Rights.
On 6 December, the UK undersigned a statement from the Media Freedom Coalition, which expressed our concerns for the safety of journalists and access to information caused by the escalation of hostilities between Israel and Hamas. The UK remains committed to Media Freedom and to championing democracy and human rights around the world. Independent media is essential to a functioning society. We understand this is an incredibly difficult time for journalists based in Gaza, who are carrying out crucial work in disseminating accurate and impartial reporting during a time of crisis.
Journalists covering conflicts are afforded protection under International Humanitarian Law (IHL) as they are civilians. Therefore, deliberate attacks against them are forbidden and if they are detained, this must be on justified grounds. Furthermore, media equipment, and installations dedicated to civilian purposes are civilian objects and must not be the target of attacks or reprisals, unless they qualify as military objectives.
In all our engagements with Israeli counterparts, we have underscored the UK’s firm belief in Israel’s right to self-defence in accordance with IHL. Israel has a duty to minimise civilian casualties and we have called on Israel to take every possible precaution to avoid harming civilians. Our position on international law is unwavering. We continue to make clear to all parties that all possible measures must be taken to ensure civilian casualties are minimised and to facilitate humanitarian aid to the civilians in Gaza. The Prime Minister has raised directly with his Israeli counterparts the need to act in line with International Humanitarian Law. Israeli President Herzog has also said Israel will abide by international law. It is vital that all parties ensure that their actions are proportionate, necessary and minimise harm to civilians.
Yours sincerely Lord (Tariq) Ahmed of Wimbledon