Petition is addressed to: The International Astronomical Union

Statement by the Astronomers of the World

The International Astronomical Union (IAU) adopted the motto “Astronomy for a Better World”, emphasising our shared humanity and common pursuit of understanding of the world and the universe. But this vision stands in stark contrast to the ongoing, systematic violence faced by Palestinians in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.

This unrelenting assault on civilians is so grave that the International Court of Justice (ICJ) is investigating it as a potential genocide. Moreover, in November 2024 the UN Special Committee to investigate Israeli practices finds Israel’s warfare methods in Gaza consistent with genocide, including use of starvation as weapon of war.

Gaza's defenceless civilians are enduring daily horrors: relentless bombings, demolished neighbourhoods, destroyed hospitals, and devastated schools and Universities. For the second consecutive year, over 100,000 university students and 625,000 schoolchildren are deprived of their right to education, their hopes for the future erased.

In April 2024, UN experts warned of the ongoing "scholasticide" in Gaza, expressing grave concern over the systematic destruction of the Palestinian education system. 

In response to the call for support from Palestinian higher education institutions to the international academic and research community, we condemn the destruction of the education and research systems in the Palestinian territory.

Albert Einstein once warned, “The world is a dangerous place to live; not because of the people who are evil, but because of the people who don't do anything about it”. As scientists and members of a global community, we cannot remain silent. To stand for science is to stand for humanity, to uphold the values that protect all people.

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) enshrine the right to life, safety, education, and access to knowledge. Article 27(1) of the UDHR affirms, “Everyone has the right freely to participate in the cultural life of the community, to enjoy the arts, and to share in scientific advancement and its benefits.” This right is being denied to Palestinians on an unimaginable scale.

We call for an immediate ceasefire to end the violence and save lives. We also call upon the IAU and all professional associations to condemn the ongoing aggression and stand firmly for the rights and dignity of the Palestinian people.

As Nelson Mandela stated, “Our freedom is incomplete without the freedom of the Palestinians.” We must not allow silence to make us complicit in this humanitarian tragedy.
Our shared commitment to a just and peaceful world demands that we act in the face of the atrocities we are witnessing.
 
We urge the IAU to join in this condemnation, stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people, and use the influence of science to advocate for a world grounded in human rights, peace, and shared progress.