A group of over 250 Israeli academics has publicly called for an immediate halt to Israel’s military operations in Gaza, condemning what they described as the “ongoing atrocities” inflicted on Palestinians. The scholars signed an open letter published on Tuesday, accusing the Israeli government of committing “war crimes” and demanding an end to the violence.
The letter, written in Hebrew and later translated into English, states that the undersigned “cannot remain silent” in the face of what they label “crimes against humanity.” It urges Israeli society to reckon with the scale of destruction and suffering in Gaza and to demand accountability from its leadership.
“We can’t say we didn’t know,” the letter states, referencing the widespread availability of video and photographic evidence of the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza. “We are witnesses, and we are responsible,” it adds.
The signatories include professors and researchers from major Israeli institutions, such as Tel Aviv University, Hebrew University, and the Weizmann Institute. While a few of the academics are known for their political activism, many are from apolitical or science-based departments, indicating a widening discontent within academic circles over the government’s actions.
According to the letter, the continued bombardment of Gaza, particularly in heavily populated areas, constitutes a deliberate targeting of civilians. The academics further argue that the government is using the war to distract from domestic political issues and calls for an independent investigation into potential violations of international law.
The letter also criticizes the silencing of dissent within Israel, pointing to recent restrictions on protest, arrest of anti-war demonstrators, and pressure on universities to suppress political speech. “It is our duty as educators and thinkers to oppose violence and demand justice,” the statement reads.
The Israeli government has not officially responded to the letter. However, some right-wing politicians and media commentators have accused the academics of undermining national unity and aiding Hamas propaganda.
The letter was released as Israeli airstrikes intensified in Gaza, with international humanitarian agencies reporting worsening conditions. Food, water, and medical supplies remain scarce, and the death toll continues to rise, according to Palestinian health officials.
Israel maintains that its military operations are aimed at dismantling Hamas’s infrastructure and preventing further attacks on its territory. Government officials have argued that Hamas uses civilians as human shields and places military assets in residential areas, thereby complicating efforts to avoid collateral damage.
Despite these assertions, global criticism of Israel’s tactics has grown in recent weeks. Human rights groups and several foreign governments have called for a ceasefire, citing the disproportionate impact on civilians, including women and children.
The open letter ends with a plea to the Israeli public to demand a political solution rather than continued military escalation. “We must stop this war now—not tomorrow, not in a week. Now,” it states.
This development adds to growing domestic pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whose administration is already under scrutiny for its handling of both the Gaza conflict and ongoing corruption investigations.
Source; Al Jazeera
