Over 1,000 higher education workers in Israel, 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. 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.
Refusal to serve in the war is ramping up in Israel, with many military reservists refusing 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.
Friends of Standing Together Sweden