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The NUJ's Seamus Dooley said the case showed the need for reform of Ireland's defamation laws.

"For many years, the NUJ was in favour of retaining juries. I have now reached the conclusion in defamation cases that juries are not appropriate."

Speaking on Wednesday to BBC Radio Ulster's Evening Extra programme, Emma O'Kelly of the NUJ said she welcomed Mr Bakhurt's statement and that it was important to take a stand.

"We collectively — the NUJ and RTÉ — don't believe Israel should be afforded what is a massive cultural platform."

NUJ members passed a motion last month stating that selling the Observer to Tortoise would be a “betrayal” of the commitment made by the Scott Trust, the Guardian Media Group's owners, to the world's oldest Sunday newspaper.