BBC journalists quit union over memo to wear Palestinian colours

A number of BBC journalists have quit their union after they were urged to wear the colours of the Palestinian flag or a keffiyeh to mark a 'Day of Action For Palestine'.

Jewish staff members at the Corporation were left shocked after being invited to take part in the protest set up by the umbrella union organisation Trades Union Congress.

The event, taking place on Thursday, is calling for a permanent ceasefire, the cessation of violence in Gaza and the release of all hostages.

It was shared with the members of the National Union of Journalists as it condemned the Israeli government's attacks, which it said has led to the deaths of at least 135 Palestinian journalists since October 7 2023.

Participants were encouraged to 'wear something red, green, black or a Palestinian keffiyeh to visibly show solidarity' to their workplace.

But colleagues felt that journalists dressed in Palestinian-themed clothing compromised the broadcaster's strict impartiality guidelines and would upset other members of staff. 

And according to Jewish News, the union is now said to be panicking as at least a dozen journalists were preparing to hand in their NUJ membership cards. 

One journalist told The Times that they 'dreaded the thought of walking past anyone' who was taking part in the protest. 

Another said they were reconsidering their NUJ membership after the 'hypocritical and antisemitic' action. 

They added: 'BBC journalists, who pride themselves on impartiality and who fought to keep their NUJ free of politics, are being encouraged to break the BBC's editorial guidelines by supporting a political cause.

'It is also a shocking attack on Jews. Where is the day of action to support the journalists being killed by their own governments across the Middle East, including by Hamas?

'Where is the NUJ support for Russian journalists that are being held behind bars on trumped up charges by Putin's regime, those dying or working in perilous conditions in Ukraine?'

Charlotte Henry, a freelance journalist who runs The Addition, a media and tech newsletter, went one step further and announced she was leaving the union, adding that the industry had become a 'hostile environment for Jews'.

After receiving a number of queries from BBC staff members about the proposed action, NUJ general secretary Michelle Stanistreet wrote back and reminded journalists of the importance of impartiality.

She also suggested that they make a donation to the International Federation of Journalists' safety fund to express their solidarity.

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The TUC has an estimated 5.5 million members in 48 trade unions which represent workers in a range of sectors including healthcare and education.

Its actions were criticised by The Board of Deputies of British Jews for continually failing to support Jewish workers.

In a statement, the board said: 'It is time for these unions to decide, are they there to support workers or to play student politics on a conflict on whose facts they appear to be plainly ignorant.

'Whatever the stated intent, attempts to bring this issue into the workplace in such a fashion will undoubtedly add to the belligerent atmosphere which many Jewish staff have been facing.'

A TUC spokesman said: 'The day of action is focused on the TUC's call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, and the release of all hostages and political prisoners.

'We are advising trade union members to undertake the action respectfully, and to discuss with colleagues what action is best suited to their workplace.'