The massacres in Gaza are the latest phase of a war that Israel has been waging against the people of Palestine for more than 60 years. The goal of this war has never changed: to use overwhelming military power to eradicate the Palestinians as a political force, one capable of resisting Israel's ongoing appropriation of their land and resources. Israel's war against the Palestinians has turned Gaza and the West Bank into a pair of gigantic political prisons. There is nothing symmetrical about this war in terms of principles, tactics or consequences. Israel is responsible for launching and intensifying it, and for ending the most recent lull in hostilities.

Israel must lose. It is not enough to call for another ceasefire, or more humanitarian assistance. It is not enough to urge the renewal of dialogue and to acknowledge the concerns and suffering of both sides. If we believe in the principle of democratic self-determination, if we affirm the right to resist military aggression and colonial occupation, then we are obliged to take sides... against Israel, and with the people of Gaza and the West Bank.

We must do what we can to stop Israel from winning its war. Israel must accept that its security depends on justice and peaceful coexistence with its neighbours, and not upon the criminal use of force.

We believe Israel should immediately and unconditionally end its assault on Gaza, end the occupation of the West Bank, and abandon all claims to possess or control territory beyond its 1967 borders. We call on the British government and the British people to take all feasible steps to oblige Israel to comply with these demands, starting with a programme of boycott, divestment and sanctions.

Professor Gilbert Achcar, Development Studies, SOAS

Arshin Adib-Moghaddam, Politics and International Studies, SOAS

Dr. Nadje Al-Ali, Gender Studies, SOAS

Professor Eric Alliez, Philosophy, Middlesex University

Dr. Jens Andermann, Latin American Studies, Birkbeck

Dr. Jorella Andrews, Visual Cultures, Goldsmiths

Professor Keith Ansell-Pearson, Philosophy, University of Warwick

John Appleby, writer

Dr. Claudia Aradau, Politics, Open University

Dr. Walter Armbrust, Politics, University of Oxford

Dr. Andrew Asibong, French, Birkbeck

Professor Derek Attridge, English, University of York

Burjor Avari, lecturer in Multicultural Studies, Manchester Metropolitan University

Dr. Zulkuf Aydin, International Development, University of Leeds

Dr. Claude Baesens, Mathematics, University of Warwick

Dr. Jennifer Bajorek, Cultural Studies, Goldsmiths

Professor Mona Baker, Centre for Translation Studies, University of Manchester

Jon Baldwin, lecturer in Communications, London Metropolitan University

Professor Etienne Balibar, Birkbeck Institute for the Humanities

Dr. Trevor Bark, Criminology, WEA Newcastle

Dr. Susan Batchelor, Sociology, Glasgow University

Dr. David Bell, Tavistock Clinic and British Psychoanalytic Society

Dr. Anna Bernard, English, University of York

Professor Henry Bernstein, Development Studies, SOAS

Anindya Bhattacharyya, writer and journalist

Dr. Ian Biddle, Music, Newcastle University

Sana Bilgrami, filmmaker and lecturer, Napier University, Edinburgh

Professor Jon Bird, School of Arts & Education, Middlesex University

Nicholas Blincoe, writer

Dr. Jelke Boesten, Development Studies, University of Leeds

Dr. Julia Borossa, Psychoanalysis, Middlesex University

Dr. Mark Bould, Film Studies, UWE

Dr. Mehdi Boussebaa, Said Business School, University of Oxford

Professor Wissam Boustany, Trinity College of Music, London

Professor Bill Bowring, Law, Birkbeck

Dr. Alia Brahimi, Politics, University of Oxford

Professor Haim Bresheeth, Media Studies, University of East London

Professor John D Brewer, Sociology, Aberdeen

Victoria Brittain, writer and journalist

Professor Celia Britton, French, UCL

Professor Charles Brook, Paediatric Endocrinology, UCL

Dr. Muriel Brown, writer

Professor Ian Buchanan, Critical and Cultural Theory, University of Cardiff

Professor Ray Bush, African Studies and Development Politics, University of Leeds

Professor Alex Callinicos, European Studies, KCL

Dr. Conor Carville, Irish Studies, St. Mary's University College

Professor Noel Castree, Geography, University of Manchester

Matthew Caygill, lecturer in History and Politics, Leeds Metropolitan University

Dr. Rinella Cere, Arts, Design, Communication and Media, Sheffield Hallam University

Dr. John Chalcraft, Government, LSE

Dr. Claire Chambers, English Literature, Leeds Metropolitan University

Dr. Sue Chaplin, Cultural Studies, Leeds Metropolitan University.

Dr. Sharad Chari, Geography, LSE

Dr. Lorenzo Chiesa, Critical Theory, University of Kent

Dr. Andrew Chitty, Philosophy, University of Sussex

Professor Emilios Christodoulidis, Law, Glasgow

Professor Sue Clegg, Education, Leeds Metropolitan University

Professor Claire Colebrook, English Literature, Edinburgh University

Dr. John Collins, Philosophy, UEA

Professor Guy Cook, Education and Language Studies, The Open University

Professor Diana Coole, Politics and Sociology, Birkbeck

Professor Annie E. Coombes, History of Art, Birkbeck

Charlie Cooper, lecturer in Social Policy, University of Hull

Julia Copus, poet

Professor Andrea Cornwall, Institute of Development Studies, Sussex

Dr. Don Crewe, Criminology, Roehampton University

Professor Simon Critchley, Philosophy, University of Essex

Dr. Stephanie Cronin, Social Sciences, University of Northampton

Eleanor Crook, sculptor & lecturer, University of the Arts London

Laura Cull, artist and researcher, Drama, University of Exeter

Dr. Sonia Cunico, Modern Languages, University of Leicester

Dr. David Cunningham, English, University of Westminster

Catherine Czerkawska, writer and historian

Dr. Sarah Dadswell, Drama, University of Exeter

Dr. Gareth Dale, Politics and History, Brunel University

Dr. Gary Daniels, Public Policy and Management, Keele University

Neil Davidson, Senior Research Fellow, Geography and Sociology, University of Strathclyde

Dr. Graham Dawson, Cultural History, University of Brighton

Christophe Declercq, lecturer in Translation, Imperial College London

Dr. Helen May Dennis, English and Comparative Literary Studies, University of Warwick

Dr. Caitlin DeSilvey, Geography, University of Exeter

Dr. Mark Devenney, Humanities, University of Brighton

Dr. Pat Devine, Social Science, University of Manchester

Dr. Jorge Díaz-Cintas, Translation, Imperial College London

Professor James Dickins, Arabic, University of Salford

Kay Dickinson, Media and Communications, Goldsmiths College

Jenny Diski, writer

Dr. Bill Dixon, Sociology & Criminology, Keele University

Noel Douglas, lecturer and graphic designer, University of Bedfordshire

Professor Sionaidh Douglas-Scott, Law, University of Oxford

Professor Allison Drew, Department of Politics, University of York

Dr. Judit Druks, Psychology & Language Science, UCL

Professor Mick Dunford, Geography, University of Sussex

Dr. Sam Durrant, English, Leeds University

Dr. Graham Dyer, Economics, SOAS

Professor Abbas Edalat, Computer Science, Imperial College

Professor Rasheed El-Enany, Arab and Islamic Studies, University of Exeter

Gregory Elliott, writer and translator

Dr. Richard Elliott, Music, Newcastle University

Professor Hoda Elsadda, Arabic Studies, University of Manchester

Bernardine Evaristo, writer

Dr. Howard Feather, Sociology, London Metrolitan University

Professor Patrick ffrench, French, King's College London

Dr. Clare Finburgh, Theatre Studies, University of Essex

Professor Jean Fisher, Fine Art, Middlesex University

Dominic Fox, writer

Dr. Jennifer Fraser, Spanish, Birkbeck

Professor Murray Fraser, Architecture, University of Westminster

Dr. Des Freedman, Media and Communications, Goldsmiths

Maureen Freely, writer and journalist, English, University of Warwick

Dr. Diane Frost, Sociology, University of Liverpool

Dr. Geetanjali Gangoli, School for Policy Studies, University of Bristol

Juliet Gardiner, writer

Dr. James Garvey, philosopher

Professor Conor Gearty, Centre for the Study of Human Rights, LSE

Dr. Julie Gervais, Government, LSE.

Dr. Jeremy Gilbert, Cultural Studies, University of East London

Dr. Aisha Gill, Criminologist, Roehampton University, UK

Professor Paul Gilroy, Sociology, London School of Economics

Charles Glass, writer

Dr. Andrew Goffey, Media, Middlesex

Professor Barry Goldson, Sociology and Social Policy, University of Liverpool

Professor Philip Goodchild, Theology and Religious Studies, University of Nottingham

Dr. Paul Goodey, lecturer and oboist

Professor Ian Gough, Social Policy, University of Bath

Dr. David Graeber, Anthropology, Goldsmiths

Dr. James Graham, Media Culture and Communication, Middlesex University

Professor Penny Green, Law, Kings College London

Dr. Simon Gieve, Education, University of Leicester

Dr. Steve Hall, Sociology and Criminology, Northumbria

Professor Peter Hallward, Philosophy, Middlesex University

Keith Hammond, lecturer in Education, University of Glasgow

Dr. Sameh F. Hanna, Translation Studies, University of Salford

Nicky Harman, lecturer in Translation, Imperial College London

M John Harrison, writer

Dr. Rumy Hasan, Science & Technology Policy Research, University of Sussex

Owen Hatherley, journalist and academic

Dr. Jane Haynes, writer & dialogic psychotherapist

Dr. Jonathan Hensher, French Studies, University of Manchester

Dr. Barry Heselwood, Linguistics & Phonetics, University of Leeds

Tom Hickey, Tutor in Philosophy, Politics and Aesthetics, University of Brighton

Dr. Jane Hiddleston, Modern Languages, University of Oxford

Dr. Nicki Hitchcott, French and Francophone Studies, University of Nottingham

Professor Eric Hobsbawm, President, Birkbeck

Dr. Jane Holgate, Working Lives Research Institute, London Metropolitan University

Professor Derek Holt, Mathematics, University of Warwick

Professor Ted Honderich, Philosophy, UCL

Professor David Howell, Politics, University of York

Professor Richard Hudson, Linguistics, UCL

Professor John Hutnyk, Centre for Cultural Studies, Goldsmiths

Dr. Colin Imber, Turkish, University of Manchester

Professor Lyn Innes (emeritus), English, University of Kent

Professor Yosefa Loshitzky, Film, Media and Cultural Studies, University of East London

Dr. Lars Iyer, Philosophy, Newcastle University

Dr. Ian James, French, University of Cambridge

Dr. Daniel Katz, English and Comparative Literary Studies, University of Warwick

Dr. Mark Kelly, Philosophy, Middlesex University

Joanna Gilmore, lecturer in the School of Law, University of Manchester

Susan Kelly, lecturer in Fine Art, Goldsmiths

Dr. Christian Kerslake, Philosophy, Middlesex University

Dr. Alexander King, Anthropology, University of Aberdeen

David Kinloch, poet

Dr. Dianne Kirby, History and International Affairs, University of Ulster

Dr. Graeme Kirkpatrick, Sociology, University of Manchester

Dr. Laleh Khalili, Politics and International Studies, SOAS

Dr. Stathis Kouvelakis, European Studies, KCL

Professor Basil Kouvaritakis, Engineering Science, University of Oxford

Dr. John Kraniauskas, Spanish, Birkbeck

Dr. Cecile Laborde, Political Science, UCL

Professor Ernesto Laclau, Government, Essex

Dave Laing, writer and journalist

Dr. Juan Antonio Lalaguna, Humanities, Imperial College London

Professor William Large, Philosophy, University College Plymouth, St Mark and St John

Nicholas Lawrence, lecturer in English & Comparative Literary Studies, University of Warwick

Professor Andrew Leak, French, UCL

Dr. Barbara Lebrun, French, University of Manchester

Dr. Keekok Lee, Philosophy, University of Manchester

Professor Esther Leslie, English and Humanities, Birkbeck

Dr. Jo Littler, Media and Cultural Studies, Middlesex University

Tim Llewellyn, journalist and writer

Dr. Caroline Lloyd, Social Sciences, Cardiff University

Dr. Jill Lovecy, Politics, University of Manchester

Simon Lynn, lecturer in Social Work, UEL

David Mabb, artist and Reader in Art, Goldsmiths

Dr. Stephen Maddison, Cultural Studies, University of East London

Dr. Kevin Magill, Arts and Humanities, University of Wolverhampton

Michael Mahadeo, lecturer in Health and Social Sciences, University of Ulster

Dr. Suhail Malik, Art, Goldsmiths

Dr. Johanna Malt, French, KCL

Dr. Matteo Mandarini, Business and Management, QMUL

Professor Susan Marks, Law, KCL

Dr. Lee Marsden, International Relations, University of East Anglia

Professor Lauro Martines, historian

Dr. Luciana Martins, Spanish, Birkbeck College

Dr. Nur Masalha, Religion and Politics, St Mary's University College

Dr. Dina Matar, Centre for Media and Film Studies, SOAS

Dr. Graeme Macdonald, English, University of Warwick

Professor (emeritus) Moshé Machover, Philosophy, KCL

Dr. Maeve McCusker, French Studies, Queen's University Belfast

Dr. James McDougall, History, SOAS

Dr. Sonia McKay, Working Lives Research Institute, London Metropolitan University

Dr. Susan McManus, Politics, Queen's University Belfast

Dr. Saladin Meckled-Garcia, Human Rights Studies, UCL

Professor Susan Melrose, Performing Arts, Middlesex University

Dr. Farah Mendlesohn, Media and Creative Writing, Middlesex University

Dr. Mahmood Messkoub, Business, University of Leeds

Dr. China Miéville, writer and academic

Dr. Anna-Louise Milne, French, University of London Institute in Paris

Dr. Surya Monro, Politics, University of Sheffield

John Moore, lecturer in Sociology & Criminology, University of the West of England

Professor Bart Moore-Gilbert, English and Comparative Literature, Goldsmiths

Dr Farhang Morady, Globalisation and Development, University of Westminster

Dr. Stephen Morton, English, Southampton University

Dr. Pablo Mukherjee, English and Comparative Literature, University of Warwick

Professor John Mullarkey, Philosophy, University of Dundee

Professor John Muncie, Criminology, The Open University

Professor Martha Mundy, Anthropology, LSE

Dr. Alex Murray, English, University of Exeter

Dr. Karma Nabulsi, Politics, University of Oxford

Ali Nasralla, Senior Fellow (retired) at Manchester University Business School

Professor Mica Nava, Cultural Studies, University of East London

Marga Navarrete, Lecturer in Spanish and Translation, Imperial College

Dr. Nick Nesbitt, French, Aberdeen

Dr. Michael Niblett, Translation and Comparative Cultural Studies, University of Warwick

Professor Christopher Norris, Philosophy, University of Cardiff

Julia O'Faolain, writer

Michael Oliva, composer and lecturer, Royal College of Music

Wendy Olsen, Development Studies, University of Manchester

Professor Peter Osborne, Philosophy, Middlesex University

Dr. George Paizis, French, UCL

Professor Ilan Pappé, History, University of Exeter

Professor Benita Parry, English and Comparative Literature, University of Warwick

Dr. Diana Paton, History, Newcastle University

Dr. Ian Patterson, Queens' College, Cambridge

Lara Pawson, writer and journalist

Dr. Maeve Pearson, English, University of Exeter

Carmen Perea-Gohar, lecturer in Spanish, Imperial College

Dr. Luis Perez-Gonzalez, Translation Studies, University of Manchester

Dr. Andrea Phillips, Art, Goldsmiths

Dr. Nina Power, Philosophy, Roehampton University

Dr. Jane Poyner, English, University of Exeter

Professor Scott Poynting, Sociology, Manchester Metropolitan University

Dr. Nicola Pratt, Political, Social & International Studies, UEA

Professor Al Rainnie, Centre for Labour Market Studies, University of Leicester

Dr. Kamran Rastegar, Arabic and Persian Literatures, University of Edinburgh

Professor Jane Rendell, Architecture, UCL

Professor Dee Reynolds, French, University of Manchester

Dr. Chris Roberts, School of Community Based Medicine, University of Manchester

Dr. Mark Robson, English Studies, University of Nottingham

Professor William Roff, Islamic & Middle Eastern Studies, University of Edinburgh

Professor Bill Rolston, Sociology, University of Ulster

Caroline Rooney, English and Postcolonial Studies, Kent

Professor Hilary Rose, Social Policy, University of Bradford

Michael Rosen, writer

Dr. Elaheh Rostami-Povey, Development Studies, SOAS

Professor William Rowe, Spanish and English, Birkbeck

Dr. Juliet Rufford, Theatre Studies, University of Reading

Professor Jonathan Rutherford, Cultural Studies, Middlesex University

Professor Alfredo Saad Filho, Development Studies, SOAS

Dr. Gabriela Saldanha, English Language, University of Birmingham

Dr. Shahira Samy, Politics, University of Oxford

Dr. Stella Sandford, Philosophy, Middlesex University

Professor Sanjay Seth, Politics, Goldsmiths

Carole Satyamurti, writer

Professor Yezid Sayigh, War Studies, KCL

Professor Phil Scraton, Law and Criminology, Queen's University Belfast

Professor Richard Seaford, Classics and Ancient History, University of Exeter

Amanda Sebestyen, writer and asylum campaigner

Professor David Seddon, Development Studies, University of East Anglia

Richard Seymour, writer and activist

Dr. Subir Sinha, Development Studies, SOAS

Dr. Debra Benita Shaw, Social Sciences, Media & Cultural Studies, University of East London

Professor Avi Shlaim, International Relations, St Antony's College, University of Oxford

Mark Shuttleworth, lecturer in Translation, Imperial College London

Professor David Slater, Geography, Loughborough University

Dr. Andrew Smith, Sociology, Anthropology and Applied Social Science, University of Glasgow

Dr. Graham Smith, Law, University of Manchester

Professor Neil Smith (emeritus), Linguistics, UCL

Olivia Smith, Centre for Editing Lives and Letters, Queen Mary, University of London

Dr. Anthony Soares, Portuguese, Queen's University Belfast

Ahdaf Soueif, writer and journalist

Professor William Spence, Physics, QMUL

Dr. Robert Spencer, Postcolonial Literatures, University of Manchester

Professor Paul Stewart, Human Resource Management, University of Strathclyde

Dr. Alison Stone, Philosophy, Lancaster

Colin Stoneman, writer

Professor Paul Sutton, Caribbean Studies, London Metropolitan University

Professor Helen Taylor, English, University of Exeter

Professor Phil Taylor, Business, University of Strathclyde

Dr. Jennifer Terry, English Studies, University of Durham

Dr. Nicholas Thoburn, Sociology, University of Manchester

Adriana Tortoriello, translator

Dr. Alberto Toscano, Sociology, Goldsmiths

Professor Martin Upchurch, Business, Middlesex University

Dr. Anastasia Valassopoulos, English and American Studies, University of Manchester

Dr. Rashmi Varma, English and Comparative Literary Studies, University of Warwick

Dr. Ritu Vij, International Relations, University of Aberdeen

Professor Dennis Walder, Ferguson Centre for African and Asian Studies, Open University

Dr. Geoffrey Wall, English, University of York

Sean Wallis, Survey of English Usage, UCL

Dr. Vron Ware, Social Sciences, The Open University

Dr. Eyal Weizman, Centre for Research Architecture, Goldsmiths

Professor Lynn Welchman, Law, SOAS

Dr. Jutta Weldes, Politics, University of Bristol

Tony White, writer

Geoff Whittam, Reader in Entrepreneurship, University of the West of Scotland

Dr. David Whyte, Sociology, University of Liverpool

Dr. Paula Wilcox, Criminology, University of Brighton

Dr. Caroline Williams, Politics, QMUL

Professor Eddie Williams, Linguistics, Bangor University

Professor James Williams, Philosophy, University of Dundee

Dr. Carla Willig Psychology, City University

Dr. Jon E. Wilson, History, KCL

Dr. Nicole Wolf, Visual Cultures, Goldsmiths

Dr. Jim Wolfreys, French and European Politics, KCL

Professor Andy Wood, History, University of East Anglia

Professor Geof Wood, International Development, University of Bath

Robin Yassin-Kassab, novelist

Professor Nira Yuval-Davis, Gender & Ethnic Studies, University of East London

Dr. Shamoon Zamir, American Studies, KCL

Professor Slavoj Zizek, Birkbeck Institute for the Humanities

Dr. Paquita de Zulueta, Medicine, Imperial College

We regard Israel's indiscriminate killing in Gaza as a crime against humanity. We protest against Israel's exterminating tactics and offer our wholehearted support to the people of Gaza.

Stephen Frears – Film Director – UK

Nigel Kennedy - Musician, Poland/UK

Miriam Margolyes – Actress UK

Brian Eno – Musician and producer UK

Robert Wyatt – Musician UK

William Dalrymple - Writer and historian

Dhafer Youssef – Musician France

Dave Robinson - Producer & pioneer of Stiff Records, UK

Razanne Carmey – Playwright UK

Chaz Jankel – Musician UK

Philip Bagenal - Music Producer and mixer UK

Christine Tobin - Singer UK

Jeffrey Blankfort - Photographer USA

Liane Carroll - Musician singer UK

Martin Coogan - Musician UK

Anis Hamadeh - Musician Germany

Radhika Jha – Writer India

Prem Shankar Jha Author & journalist India

Uzma Aslam Khan - Novelist and Essayist Pakistan

Sarah Gillespie - Musician UK

Darrell Lawrence - Music & film producer USA

Shadia Mansour - Singer UK

Moni Ovadia - Actor Italy

Gilad Atzmon - Musician and writer UK

Susheela Raman - Singer UK

Karl Sabbagh – Writer UK

Rich Siegel – Musician USA

Paul Sussman – Author UK

Sunny Singh – Writer India

David Toop- Musician & author UK

John Turnbull – Musician UK

As members of the Jewish Black Asian Forum, we are distressed and outraged at the pointless loss of life and humanitarian disaster in Gaza. The values we share, and the stories of loss and exclusion we bring to our discussions , drive us to speak out together. As members of British communities closely connected to Israel and Palestine, we call on Israel to immediately end its use of military force in Gaza and on Hamas to cease firing rockets into Israel. Our government, together with other governments and international actors, must engage with the authorities in Israel, Palestine and Gaza to help facilitate a lasting peace in the region and an end to the occupation.

Tanaka Loha, Antony Lerman, Geoffrey Bindman, Francesca Klug, June Jacobs, Imam Sajid, Arlington Trotman, Lincoln Crawford, Mumtaz Rahim, Simon Wooley

Jasa Almuli's claims (Letters, 15 January) that Israel has accepted a Palestinian state and that the obstacle to peace is Hamas's refusal to recognise the state of Israel are false. Israel's response to every offer of a viable two-state solution has been to expand the settlements, as during the Oslo "peace" process. On the other hand, the political leadership of Hamas has many times said that it would accept a Palestinian state within the 1967 borders and has offered a long-term truce on that basis. This offer was repeated by the Hamas prime minister, Ismail Haniyeh, on 8 November 2008 to a group of 11 European parliamentarians, including Clare Short. He denied that Hamas was seeking to destroy the state of Israel. "Our conflict is not with the Jews; our problem is with the occupation," he said. Israel, however, just as it rejected Hamas's ceasefire offer of 23 December, rejects all negotiation with Hamas's political leadership and prefers to try to smash its military wing instead. Hamas does not have to accept Israel's right to exist as a Jewish state before peace can be negotiated any more than Sinn Féin had to accept Northern Ireland as part of the UK before negotiating a peace there.

Leon Rosselson

Wembley Park, Middlesex

At last the west is coming clean. Palestinians are freedom fighters, not terrorists, who have suffered 60 years of injustice inflicted by the real axis of evil, Israel and the US. The murderous attack on Gaza is an insane attempt at ethnic cleansing before Obama takes over.

Eva Figes

London



Iranian military aid to Hamas has been steady and vital to Hamas since its coup of July 2007. The movement has been equipped with dozens of Iranian Fajr-3 missiles - the longest-range ordnance it is thought to possess. The 122mm Grad rockets it has been firing at Israel are in its possession because of the Iranian connection. Like Hezbollah, Hamas is an Iranian proxy. And just as in 2006, Iran was instrumental in inciting the current war. Israel's fight is a fight for western values of secular democracy and human rights against those that would unleash a medieval theocracy upon us all.

Chris Gale

Chippenham, Wiltshire