CLH Discussions: Palestine-Israel - Should Humanism Take A Position?

Palestine-Israel: Should humanism take a position, and if so, where do we stand?

Taking ethical positions on contemporary issues is an integral part of what humanism is and what it has always practised. Humanists have advocated on a range of issues from gay rights, and persecution based on belief, to the right to die with dignity. The movement has a strong tradition of speaking out about human rights and current issues.

At the same time there is a certain reluctance by official humanists to engage in issues seen as being ‘hot’ current political matters. No doubt this is partly because of the charitable status of Humanists UK, and to avoid alienating anyone.

Should humanists in general, and official humanist bodies in particular, be bold in taking ethical positions aligned with their core beliefs even if that rouses criticism and polarisation?

Specifically with relation to Israel-Palestine, and in particular what is happening right now in Gaza, what position is most consistent with the values that humanists espouse? And should we expect our official representatives to reflect those values? Is it right that Humanists UK have not joined the chorus of calls for an immediate ceasefire to Israel’s campaign in Gaza whereas Humanist Society Scotland have?

Or perhaps by being scrupulously neutral HUK are simply taking a balanced position. These are sensitive, contentious and difficult matters to discuss but, if humanism genuinely provides a framework to explore and understand ethical issues, then should we not shy away from applying our principles to this topic?

This will be a discussion in two parts: the first 30-40 minutes will look at the general principles, and then, if you are comfortable to, we invite you to stay on to address the issues brought up for humanists by the current conflict.

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Date: Thursday 11 January 2024
Time: 7pm - 8:30pm
Venue: Zoom (link will be provided)
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References and Suggested Reading

Humanists UK statement
https://humanists.uk/2023/10/13/statement-on-middle-east/

Scottish Humanists statement
https://www.humanism.scot/2023/11/16/humanist-society-scotland-calls-for-ceasefire-in-gaza/

Article by Palestinian humanist in The Humanist magazine
https://thehumanist.com/magazine/winter-2023/features/thoughts-from-a-palestinian-humanist

Humanistically Speaking article on Israel-Gaza conflict by David Warden. Interesting discussion with Jeremy Rodell in the comments.
https://www.humanisticallyspeaking.org/post/why-humanists-should-stand-with-israel-and-with-the-people-of-gaza-for-a-better-future

Humanists International article from 2020 on Palestine
https://fot.humanists.international/countries/asia-western-asia/palestine/

US humanist group discussion of the topic, recording
https://www.humanists.org/blog/2023-12-10/

Israeli humanist philosopher, Omri Boehm
https://www.dw.com/en/a-radical-humanist-israeli-philosopher-omri-boehm/a-67790075

Times of Israel article, humanism, Israeli state, Gaza
https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/humanism-this-is-what-israel-stands-for/

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