Issued by IFSW member the Palestinian Union of Social Workers and Psychologists
“The colonialist Israeli colonialism continues its aggression against our Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip, including displacement, mass killing, and starvation…
In the West Bank, settlers were given the green light to seize land, destroy property, and terrorize peaceful citizens killing them in cold blood, also in Jerusalem city the occupation prevents citizens from reaching the holy places and continues the process of emptying Jerusalem of its original residents. This is happening in front of the eyes of all international and human rights institutions, and they see all international conventions being trampled under the feet of the murderers with the blood of children, the elderly, and defenceless women.
In continuation of this racist policy that targets the Palestinians wherever they are, the decision of the so-called Hebrew University in Jerusalem to stop Professor Nadra Shalhoub-Kevorkian has been suspended due to her condemnation of the genocidal crimes committed by the occupying state against our defenceless people in Gaza Strip and because she signed a petition condemning the aggression along with 2000 academic and scientific figures from different countries in the world. This decision is part of the dominant policy in the occupying state, which is based on racism and the abolition of the right of others to live and even to object.
The Association of Social Workers and Psychologists in Palestine expresses its pride in the role played by Professor Nadra Kevorkian at The Palestinian, Arab and international levels in highlighting the Palestinian culture that is based on the principles of justice and respect for the rights of all human beings to a dignified life.
From here, in the name of the Palestinian Union of Social Workers and Psychologists, we raise our voice loudly, demanding the International Federation of Social Workers, The World Federation for Mental Health, the World Organization of Schools of Social Work, and all Liberals and colleagues announce their rejection and condemnation of this unjust decision against Professor Nadra Kafrkan and the condemnation of the crimes committed by the occupying state against social and psychological workers and academics which large numbers of whom were martyred as a result of this ongoing aggression, and dozens of whom were arrested, we also demand that they take a clear position about the genocide operations in beloved Gaza.
We condemn the suspension of Professor Nadra Shalhoub-Kevorkian from work, as she is not only a respected academic in the field of social work, and law, but she is also a world-renowned feminist scholar, whose extensive work has highlighted the multifaceted effects of militarization and surveillance violence on the lives of Palestinian women and children.
The actions taken against Professor Shalhoub Kevorkian are disconcerting in the context of her dedication to mental health advocacy and human rights for Palestinian communities, through her pioneering research and community engagement, she provided invaluable insights into the psychological repercussions in the light of social struggle to live under prolonged conflict and oppression, and silencing her voice not only undermines academic freedom but also targets the struggle broader efforts for human rights and dignity in Palestine and abroad.
We condemn the operation against Kevorkian since October 2023, and she is still exposing herself to danger through incitement and threats Directed in the context of incitement and militarization.
In the Palestinian Union of Social Workers and Psychologists, we affirm our great pride in the scientific role played by Professor Shalhoub Kevorkian on the Palestinian, Arab and international levels, especially as it is a role that includes lofty human values. We also appreciate its pioneering role in promoting Palestinian research work through its pioneering projects in its many fields of specialization, in addition, to her support for Palestinian students through various research projects, as well as providing the library with dozens of publications and literature that are localizing knowledge and anti-colonialism, in whose center there are questions about freedom, justice and human rights, especially rights of women and children, and finally its administrative contribution to several research institutions.
The arbitrary action taken by the “university administration” against Shalhoub by suspending her work as a Professor at the university comes as part of the systematic policies of coercive silencing by the occupation and the allies of this occupation in the world, including universities, research centers and magazines. however, this arbitrary action comes against the voices opposing the war of extermination, starvation and forced displacement of the people of the Gaza Strip, and these policies have affected thousands of people in Palestine and the world.
We reaffirm our sincere and full support for Professor Nadira Shalhoub Kevorkian, towards protecting her freedom of research, thought and expression as well as her freedom of work. We also call on all concerned parties to exert pressure to stop this arbitrary measure against the professor, as it seriously violates intellectual and academic rights and freedoms.
No voice is louder than dignity, freedom and justice”