FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Feb. 2, 2024
CONTACT:
Nicole Hill, press@texasaft.org
Texas AFT Joins AFT’s Call for a Bilateral Ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas War
The resolution was unanimously adopted by the American Federation of Teachers executive council, representing our union’s 1.72 million members, on Jan. 30.
AUSTIN, Texas — The Texas American Federation of Teachers, representing 66,000 K-12 and higher education employees in Texas, has signed on to a national AFT resolution calling for a bilateral ceasefire in Gaza and promoting a two-state solution, as as well as an end to the weaponization of hate.
“Every day, we see the tremendous pain that Palestinians and Israelis are experiencing,” said AFT President Randi Weingarten in announcing the resolution on Tuesday, Jan. 30. “Many of our members are deeply connected to people in Israel and the Palestinian territories, so they feel that pain personally; and many others, including the students we teach, are horrified and aggrieved by what has happened.”
The resolution calls for:
- A negotiated bilateral ceasefire, agreed to by both sides in this war and guaranteed by the international community. A ceasefire agreement must include the immediate provision of desperately needed food, water, medical care, clothing, emergency shelter, and other humanitarian aid to Palestinian civilians in Gaza and the release of all hostages abducted by Hamas from Israel on Oct. 7.
- Reaffirming AFT’s support for a two-state solution, with true self-determination for the people of Israel and the people of Palestine, noting both peoples have deep roots in that land and the right to live there in peace and with freedom.
- Condemning all forms of antisemitism and Islamophobia, and continuing AFT’s work to ensure that our workplaces are safe, and free from fear of hate and bigotry.
- Ensuring the United States remains a place where all people are safe to express dissent—in their communities and on their streets and campuses. The conflict should not be used as an excuse to wage political attacks on American colleges and universities, or as a pretext to undermine necessary efforts to increase diversity, promote equity and advance inclusion.
“Our work as a union is about building power in our workplaces and in the halls of government for our members, the everday teachers and school staff who keep this state and their communities running,” said Texas AFT President Zeph Capo. “We do that only when we stand together and speak out with a collective voice, and that means standing in solidarity with all who suffer from injustice, whether it be physical violence or hate speech. For this reason, Texas AFT is proud to join this call for a ceasefire and lend our voices to the chorus for peace.”
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The Texas American Federation of Teachers represents 66,000 teachers, paraprofessionals, support personnel, and higher-education employees across the state. Texas AFT is affiliated with the 1.7-million-member American Federation of Teachers and the AFL-CIO.