JCRC Statement
February 18, 2026
The following is a statement from Guila Franklin Siegel, chief operating officer of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington, in response to the International Federation of Social Workers today rejecting a pair of motions to suspend and expel the Israeli Union of Social Workers from the international body.
“These votes are a victory for inclusion over discrimination. For years, the Israeli Union of Social Workers (IUSW) has worked tirelessly to support the mental health and well-being of Israelis and Palestinians alike. Their work has taken on new and added meaning over the past two years in the face of Hamas’ horrific mass slaughter of Jews on October 7, 2023, and the subsequent war in Gaza. The heroic efforts of Israeli social workers during such a difficult time — amid a surge of antisemitism generally and directed at them in particular — are a model for those affiliated with the International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW) worldwide to follow.
“While it is disappointing that the IFSW even considered such exclusionary motions, we are hopeful that this closes the door on any effort to isolate Israeli social workers initiated by international bodies that should be supporting and lifting them up. JCRC is proud to stand with the ISUW, the Jewish Social Work Consortium, and the thousands of people who signed a petition urging opposition to these votes. We hope IFSW will not go down this path again.”
The following is an additional statement from Jennifer Kogan and Andrea Yudell of the Jewish Social Work Consortium, with whom we worked closely on this issue.
"Rejecting this motion affirms that collective punishment and exclusion have no place in social work for any group.
"Israeli social workers continue to serve on the front lines, providing critical care and support to all who need it, across lines of identity, religion, and background. That is what ethical practice looks like and what solidarity should mean. We are especially thankful to the National Association of Social Workers for choosing to use its voice to condemn this effort and to stand firmly for principle. Their leadership in this moment reflects the profession at its best.
"At the heart of social work is honoring the dignity of our colleagues and clients, which requires cultural humility and the courage to examine our own assumptions rather than make sweeping judgments about entire groups of people.
"We remain hopeful that this stance is not only a rejection of exclusion, but the beginning of deeper engagement, listening, and repair so that Jewish and Israeli social workers can participate fully, safely, and with dignity in the global social work community."