IASW, CGTS and HASW condemn all attacks on civilians and hostage-taking, which are prohibited under international humanitarian law. We reaffirm the right of people to self-determination and our profession’s duty to protect civilians, uphold human rights and oppose collective punishment. The United Nation’s Independent International Commission of Inquiry’s conclusion on 16 September 2025 has affirmed that Israel has committed genocide in Gaza, and Amnesty International, Doctors without Borders and The Lemkin Institute for Genocide Prevention and Human Security, among others, have all previously acknowledged this.
As Social Workers it is essential that we uphold the values of human rights, social justice and the protection of a marginalised society. The IASW, the CGTS and HASW continue to express solidarity with the Palestinians in their struggle for freedom, justice and statehood. We condemn Israel’s ongoing genocide in Gaza and the illegal harassment, and occupation caused by Israeli settlers in the West Bank. We cannot, as Social Workers, remain silent and complicit to ongoing war crimes and crimes against humanity.
The Israel Union of Social Workers (IUSW) was censured by IFSW in 2018 and again on 9 January 2025 for failing to uphold the Federation’s Ethical Principles, including support for peace and non-violence. IFSW has stated that censure registers concern but carries no sanctions, leaving full participation and voting intact.
In 2025, following exchanges with the Executive, IUSW confirmed members are in combat roles, refused to request combat exemptions for social workers, and refused to make any statement calling for peace. These positions conflict with social work’s commitments to human rights, social justice, peace and non-violence.
Accordingly, the Delegates’ Meeting resolves to vote to two issues:
Vote item A – Gaza, East Jerusalem and the West Bank
The Delegates’ Meeting resolves to:
A1) Condemn the genocide in Gaza and grave breaches including starvation, collective punishment and obstruction of relief.
A2)We urgently call for an immediate and sustained ceasefire, the protection of all civilians without distinction, the unconditional release of all Israeli hostages, the right of all Palestinian refugees to return to their homes, unhindered humanitarian access to all those in need, and robust support for accountability measures consistent with international law.
A3) Reaffirm the IFSW Global Statement of Ethical Principles and express solidarity with the Palestinian people; note the UN COI genocide finding (A/HRC/60/CRP.3) and condemn ongoing settler violence and unlawful settlement expansion in the West Bank.
A4) Call on IFSW to urge EU institutions to consider suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement under its human-rights clause, and to consider further measures consistent with international law.
A5) Immediate suspension of cooperation with Israeli state, professional, and academic institutions operating in illegal settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, including Ariel University.
B1: Call on the IFSW President and Executive to hold IUSW to account for continuing breaches of IFSW’s Global Ethical Principles (by confirming the legitimacy of their members’ combat roles, refusing to request non-combat exemptions and not standing for peace and universal human rights of Palestinians) by calling a Special General Meeting (online) to propose suspension and/or expulsion of IUSW from IFSW.
B2: Call on IFSW members to urgently request the IFSW Global Executive calls for such a Special General meeting
Proposed by: Irish Association of Social Workers
Seconded: Consejo Gral. Trabajo Social (Spain) and Hellenic Association of Social Workers
https://news.un.org/en/story/2025/09/1165856
https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/latest/our-response-israel-gaza-war
https://www.lemkininstitute.com/statements-new-page/four-facts-about-israel%E2%80%99s-genocide
https://www.un.org/unispal/document/commission-of-inquiry-report-genocide-in-gaza-a-hrc-60-crp-3/
