NASW Statement on the IFSW Vote: A Commitment to Healing, Unity, and Professional Integrity
- NASW-IL Staff
- 1 hour ago
- 4 min read
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, members of the International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW) participated in a significant decision regarding the proposed expulsion or suspension of the Israeli Union of Social Workers from our international community. After careful deliberation, IFSW members voted against this motion. The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) supported this outcome.
The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) affirms its commitment to healing, unity, and professional integrity following the IFSW vote against expelling or suspending the Israeli Union of Social Workers. Our opposition to this motion does not diminish the seriousness of the humanitarian crisis in Palestine and Israel, nor does it dismiss the deep historical and political contexts shaping member associations’ perspectives. Rather, our position reflects our belief that professional engagement, ethical accountability, and sustained dialogue are more effective than expulsion in advancing peace, justice, and human rights.
NASW affirms the dignity, safety, and professional integrity of social workers in both Palestine and Israel. NASW recognizes that this vote does not occur in a vacuum. According to official United Nations reporting and statements from senior U.N. officials, the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip has reached unprecedented levels of severity. U.N. agencies including the World Food Program (WFP), UNICEF, FAO, and WHO have confirmed that hundreds of thousands of people in Gaza have experienced famine-like conditions, with extreme food insecurity, acute malnutrition, and starvation affecting large portions of the population—conditions the U.N. Secretary-General has described as a “man-made disaster” and a “failure of humanity itself.”. These concerns must be taken seriously and are part of the broader human rights discourse.
NASW’s votes against expulsion or suspension is not a vote against accountability. It is a vote for continued engagement, dialogue, and the belief that transformation is more likely when professional relationships are maintained rather than severed.
We also recognize the trauma experienced the in region following the October 7, 2023 attacks, the taking of hostages, and the ongoing fear and loss experienced by civilians. The resulting military actions have caused devastating loss of Palestinian civilian life and widespread humanitarian crisis in Gaza. As of January 2026, recorded figures indicate over 71,600 direct deaths, with an estimated 10,000 additional people buried under rubble. The vast majority of casualties are women, children, and the elderly.
Social workers in both Palestine and Israel are practicing within extraordinary and painful conditions shaped by state policy, armed conflict, and long-standing political realities beyond the control of professional associations.
We stand ready to work collaboratively with:
· The Palestinian Union of Social Workers and Psychologists (PUSWP)
· IFSW leadership and regional partners
· The Israeli Union of Social Workers (IUSW)
Call to Action for All Social Workers
1. Center Human Rights and Human Dignity: Uphold the core ethical principles of our profession by advocating for the protection of civilians, unimpeded humanitarian aid, and adherence to international humanitarian and human rights law.
2. Advance Trauma-Informed Practice: Recognize the profound and intergenerational trauma affecting communities in Palestine and Israel, and support culturally responsive, trauma-informed interventions.
3. Promote Dialogue Over Division: Engage in respectful, courageous conversations within our professional spaces, fostering understanding rather than polarization.
4. Support Humanitarian Relief Efforts: Amplify credible humanitarian appeals from U.N. agencies and trusted partners working to address famine, displacement, and health crises.
5. Advocate for Accountability and Peacebuilding: Call for ceasefires, the protection of civilians, the release of hostages, accountability for violations of international law, and long-term political solutions that ensure safety, self-determination, and equal rights for all people in the region.
6. Stand in Solidarity with Social Workers in the Region: Offer professional collaboration, shared learning, and moral support to colleagues working under extraordinary strain.
7. Commit to Ongoing Education and Historical Understanding: Engage in continuous learning about the historical, political, and social contexts shaping this conflict. Seek out credible, research-based sources; consult international human rights reports; participate in professional development opportunities; and critically examine diverse perspectives. Responsible, evidence-informed education strengthens ethical advocacy, reduces misinformation, and equips social workers to practice with cultural humility and professional integrity.
NASW remains committed to working with all partners in good faith to advance peace, justice, and human dignity for Israelis and Palestinians alike.
Related News and Documents:
Humanitarian access to Gaza still insufficient for relief and rebuilding: UN development chief: 17 February 2026
UN Human Rights Chief: “We are failing the people of Gaza”: 08 September 2025
IFSW Executive Issues Censure Against the Israeli Union of Social Workers for Not Acting to Promote Peace: 9 January 2025
A Response of the Israeli Union of Social Workers to the IFSW statement of 09.01.2025: 14 February 2025
The National Association of Social Workers (NASW), in Washington, DC, is the largest membership organization of professional social workers. It promotes, develops, and protects the practice of social work and social workers. NASW also seeks to enhance the well-being of individuals, families, and communities through its advocacy.