Over 1,000 Israeli and Palestinian higher education workers, including Standing Together co-founder Prof. Dani Filc, have co-signed a statement, organised by the Black Flag Action Group, opposing Israel’s war and calling on the higher education sector to mobilise to stop it.

UK Friends of Standing Together has published a solidarity statement supporting their call. The text of the statement is below.

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Solidarity with Education Workers in Israel Opposing the War

As education workers in the UK we express our solidarity with education workers in Israel opposing the continued siege on Gaza.

Most recently over 1000 workers in higher education in Israel signed a letter, organised by the Black Flag Action Group, calling on the Association of University Heads in Israel, the Board of Academic Public Colleges, and Academics for Israeli Democracy to use their positions to bring about a ceasefire. This open letter was coupled with protests across campuses in Israel bringing together students and staff opposing the war.

Some of the signatories are Palestinian citizens of Israel, who risk severe victimisation for speaking out against the war or indeed for expressing their Palestinian identity. Jewish Israeli academics are also confronting a repressive and nationalistic atmosphere, which is increasingly intolerant of dissent.
At least 53,000 have been killed in Gaza, infrastructure has been decimated, with warnings of acute starvation, and 58 hostages remaining.

Refusal to serve in the war is ramping up in Israel, with some estimates suggesting that over 100,000 military reservists have refused to report for duty. There has even been open dissent among hundreds of Israeli air force pilots. Two military refusers were recently jailed.

Whilst external and diplomatic pressure on Israel is necessary, winning peace and equal rights for the people of Israel and Palestine also requires a strong, grassroots movement fighting for it on the ground, including within Israeli society. We send our support to education workers in Israel in their efforts to hasten an end to the war, stop the bloodshed, and secure the release of the hostages.

Posted 1 June 2025