Letter from Fred Phelps, Executive Director, Canadian Association of Social Work (casw-acts) in response to the petition sent by CAEF on behalf of over 12,500 people on February 17th...

...asking that CASW take an ethical position in voting down the motion at the International Federation of Social Work on February 18th that moved to expel the Israeli Union of Social Workers from the IFSW. CAEF and the co-sponsors of the petition, The Jewish Social Work Consortium, Doctors Against Racism and Antisemitism and The Jewish Therapist Collective, are grateful to acknowledge the principled position taken by CASW.

Dear Andria Spindel,

On behalf of the CASW President, Barb Whitenect, this communication acknowledges your email, including a petition of over 12,500 signatures, advocating for the Canadian Association of Social Workers (CASW) to vote against the motions to expel or suspend the Israeli Union of Social Workers (IUSW) at the February 18, 2026, International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW) Special General Meeting.

CASW acknowledges that advocates requested that the organization make a public statement, for or against the motions, prior to the IFSW Special General Meeting. However, CASW chose not to take a definitive public position on the vote; rather choosing to provide both sides of the motions an opportunity to present their arguments. That said, CASW has voted against previous censures of the IUSW based on the position that the application of the IFSW Global Ethical Principles must be consistent across all members.

After hearing both arguments today, as well as speakers from the IFSW members present, CASW chose to vote against both motions. The CASW vote against suspension or expulsion is consistent with its vote against censure.

With the voting concluded, the Israeli Union of Social Workers (IUSW) remains within the IFSW however still under censure, as passed by the IFSW Global Executive in 2025.

Regardless of the vote, in the coming weeks, months, and years ahead, all members of IFSW will be called upon to work towards building a dialogue of understanding between members while reaffirming our shared commitments to social justice and peace.

Sincerely/Sincèrement,

Fred Phelps, MSW, RSW,CAE | He/him – Il/le (why we include pronouns – pourquoi inclure pronoms personnels

Executive Director/ Directeur général

Canadian Association of Social Workers

Association canadienne des travailleuses et travailleurs sociaux