November 6, 2024

War is a human tragedy that leaves no victor, only inflicting more pain and suffering on innocent people. It destroys countless lives of all ages and conditions, depriving people, especially children, of their right to life and a decent existence; its consequences are nothing but devastation, poverty, malnutrition, hunger, and illiteracy for the people of the war-torn region. (Gaza, Syria, Lebanon, Afghanistan, and Iraq are prime examples of this claim.)

Unfortunately, we live in a region of the world that, due to the interests of imperialist powers, the greed and corruption of dictatorial regimes, and the ignorance and fanaticism of groups, has not seen peace and stability for over 70 years. At any given moment, the flames of war ignite in some corner of the region, and today, the fear of the spread of war and its consequences to the entire region, including our own country, is greater than ever.

The Teachers’ Union of Iran (Tehran), as a civil and educational institution, expresses its deep concern over the further spread of war and violence in the Middle East, particularly in Palestine and Lebanon, and declares its warning and protest against this trend.

On the one hand, we condemn the military actions of the Israeli government against the defenseless people of Palestine and Lebanon, which are in fact a brutal massacre and genocide of Palestinian citizens, especially actions that have led to the killing of schoolchildren, the complete destruction of entire families, and the destruction of schools, hospitals, and all existing infrastructure. These actions not only have devastating effects on people’s current lives but also destroy the future of future generations, unfortunately with a 70-year history.

On the other hand, we condemn the adventurous foreign policy and actions of the Islamic Republic’s proxy forces such as Hamas and Hezbollah, especially the October 7th attack by the terrorist group Hamas, which led to the killing of civilians and a number of Israeli children. Although these groups are the product of 70 years of expansionism and violence by the occupiers, they only add fuel to the fire of war and exacerbate tensions and suffering by exploiting the inhumane living conditions imposed on people, as we have witnessed in the past year.

Moreover, the rulers of the Islamic Republic must be criticized and held accountable as one of the factors in this crisis. Over the past forty years, the government has gradually reduced the right of the Palestinian people to fight against occupation, and by supporting the two groups of Hamas and Hezbollah, with a wrong and protracted strategy, not only has it not helped resolve the Palestinian issue, but it has also used the interests of the Iranian people as a tool for its regional adventurism, and there is a fear that it will drag the country into a devastating war that will bring nothing but poverty, misery, and killing to the Iranian people.

In our view, the use of war as a tool to achieve political goals is never justifiable and only leads to more human sacrifice.

The Teachers’ Union of Iran (Tehran), as a civil and educational institution, calls for an immediate end to warmongering policies, war, and the protection of human rights, especially the rights of children and adolescents in these regions. The killing of Palestinian and Lebanese schoolchildren is a major human tragedy that must be condemned with all our might. The international community must stand firm against this oppression and injustice and refrain from any action that could exacerbate this crisis.

The rulers of the Islamic Republic, especially those who beat the drums of war, must know that they are primarily responsible to the Iranian people; the continuation of the current strategy can undoubtedly lead to a disaster similar to Gaza and Lebanon for the children of Iran.

The Teachers’ Union of Iran (Tehran) believes that only through diplomacy, dialogue, respect for human rights, and the expansion of democracy can sustainable peace be achieved in the region. We call on all parties to turn to peaceful and humane solutions instead of continuing violence.

Teachers’ Union of Iran (Tehran) 

November 6, 2023

Office

Central Executive Council

CODIR