Six Jewish journalists resign from union claim

The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) has rejected claims made by the Campaign Against Antisemitism (CAA), which says six Jewish journalists have resigned from the union complaining of intimidation and an anti-Israel bias.

The CAA says it is aware of “at least six Jewish members who have handed in their NUJ cards since 7 October”. One woman, whose name is given only as Rebecca, said she had tried to speak to the NUJ about her concerns but had not received a reply for two months. She had asked what help was being given to journalists in Israel.

Another woman, named by the CAA as Lucy, complained that the union had “ostracised Jewish journalists” and criticised the NUJ for lack of concern for journalists inside Israel under rocket attack.

But in a lengthy statement, the NUJ described the CAA quotes as “selective” and said that it took resignations seriously. It did not dispute that members had resigned.

“In the cases referenced”, the union said, “the most senior officers of the union intervened to address the concerns being raised in a comprehensive fashion”. It said it had been “consistent and robust in its denunciation of the atrocities carrie out by Hamas on October 7, and in our call for the release of all hostages.We have also condemned the targeting of women and appalling sexual violence that it is clear took place during those attacks, and the rise in antisemitic attacks that has happened in its aftermath”.