The continuing desperate situation in Gaza, which recently contributed to the welcome decision by the UK government to formally recognise Palestine as a state, has also led the EIS to consider closely its own position in relation to Palestine.

The EIS has a long association with the Palestinian people, and has recently made several financial contributions to support relief work in Gaza.

A recent decision by EIS Council agreed that the EIS should examine recent reports on Palestine, in light of the worsening humanitarian situation, and make recommendations on whether and, if so, how the EIS policy positions may be updated.

The EIS has long been a paid supporter of Amnesty International, and this reflects the EIS’s long standing view that it is a reputable body with policy, human rights and social justice aims that are consistent with EIS policies.

EIS Policy On the Israel/Palestine Conflict

The EIS has a long history of supporting human rights, and has long standing policy on the Palestine/Israel conflict. In essence, the EIS policy is to support a two-state solution and to put pressure on Israel to implement this policy.

Part of this pressure comes from supporting the BDS movement which calls for the boycott, divestment and sanctions of Israeli activity within the Occupied Palestinian Territory (e.g. East Jerusalem and the West Bank). The EIS has spoken out publicly and campaigned for these objectives.

EIS policy recognises the oppression of Palestinians by Israel and seeks to support Palestinians – especially with regards to their education. The EIS has also published a teaching resource on the Palestine/Israel conflict that seeks to give a fair and balanced approach, consistent with the values of ‘Education for Peace’. The EIS has also supported the work of UNRWA with a financial donation.

The EIS has previously condemned the attacks by Hamas, and response by Israel which the EIS believes to be disproportionate.

The EIS supports an arms embargo to Israel (and Hamas), and has written to the UK government to stop all arms exports to Israel. The EIS is affiliated with Amnesty International, Scottish Friends of Palestine, Stop the War Coalition and Show Racism the Red Card.

Implications of Amnesty International Reports on EIS Policy

The Executive Summaries of both recent Amnesty Reports studied by the EIS make devastating reading as to the treatment of the Palestinian people within the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

Both reports approach their investigations in a comprehensive and detailed manner and have sought to base their findings on a clear evidence base which seems both damning and compelling, and that cannot be ignored. They are clear on how Israel and the international community should act in order to stop the treatment that Amnesty identifies as apartheid and genocide.

The EIS has existing policy that acknowledges that Palestinians are being oppressed in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. The EIS notes Amnesty International’s conclusions that Israel is applying apartheid against Palestinians in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and is carrying out a genocide of Palestinians in Gaza.

Both reports call on Israel to stop the apartheid, the genocide and the violation of Palestinians’ human rights. The reports also call for a ceasefire and for the Israeli withdrawal from the Occupied Palestinian Territory, which would implicitly lead to a two-state solution.

The EIS’s existing policy supports these calls on Israel and the Israeli withdrawal from the Occupied Territory, and negotiation for an agreed two-state solution.

The EIS notes Amnesty International’s conclusions that Israel is applying apartheid against Palestinians in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and is carrying out a genocide of Palestinians in Gaza.

Both reports set out the international community’s responsibilities in putting pressure on Israel to comply with international law. The EIS’s existing policy supports this position, and the EIS has written to the UK government encouraging it to do so.

The EIS is not a legal adjudicator and is not in a position to give an expert opinion as to whether Amnesty International is legally correct in concluding that Israel is carrying out ‘apartheid’, ‘genocide’ or both, in breach of international and human rights law; and the EIS recognises that it is ultimately for the ICJ to adjudicate on these matters.

The EIS notes that the International Court of Justice (ICJ) affirmed that Israel’s occupation of the Palestinian Territories (oPt), including Gaza and the West Bank, is unlawful and constitutes a breach of international law, including prohibitions against racial discrimination and apartheid, in a non-binding July 2024 advisory opinion.

Whilst a final judgement on this matter will be made in the future, it has been described as a “landmark” and “historic” judgement in the meantime, carrying significant political weight and moral and legal imperatives for states to comply.

The EIS is clear that we and others are justified in calling for an immediate cessation of the acts that Israel is currently carrying out that have led many, including the EIS, to believe that genocide is being committed and that apartheid is being systematically implemented.

Both reports set out the consequences of the international community’s support for Israel, particularly by continuing to arm Israel and selling it weapons, and call for a comprehensive arms embargo. The EIS has long supported an arms embargo against Israel and has written to the UK government asking it to implement an arms embargo against Israel by stopping all export licenses.

The Amnesty International Report “Israel’s apartheid against Palestinians: a look into decades of oppression and domination” makes the point that ‘business’ has a role in putting pressure on Israel to cease its human rights violations – especially with regards to apartheid and the incorporation of part of the Occupied Palestinian Territory into the Israeli economy.

The EIS supports the BDS movement and seeks to boycott any goods from the Occupied Palestinian Territory and to boycott any company that deals with the Occupied Palestinian Territory, as set out by the BDS organisation.

The policy objectives of both reports, and the means of realising the policy objectives set out by both reports, are aligned with existing EIS policy. Both reports are aimed at the international community, and furthering international pressure on Israel. The EIS continues to campaign for the UK government to do more to persuade Israel to meet the obligations of international law and to implement a UK arms embargo against Israel.

Both reports also need to be seen as further and mounting evidence of Israel’s actions and intentions with regard to the Palestinians, especially those within Gaza. At the date of writing, the ongoing blockade of Gaza is leading to malnutrition, famine and death by starvation according to UN sources and others.

The EIS believes that Amnesty International is a reputable body, and we have no reason to doubt the veracity of the conclusions of these two reports as outlined in the Executive Summaries. In summary, the two Amnesty International reports make harrowing reading and, together with current developments, deepen our resolve to continue with our existing policies with regard to Palestine/Israel – seeking a just, comprehensive and lasting peace for Israelis and Palestinians.