Voices of Peace in Times of War: Social Work Perspectives

Since October 7^th, 2023, the Israel-Hamas war has profoundly impacted millions, causing devastation on a scale not seen in the region for decades (B’Tselem, 2023; Paluch-Shimon et al., 2023). War presents social workers with complex ethical dilemmas, as their core values—social justice, human rights, and equity—are inherently linked to peace promotion at individual, community, and policy levels (Moshe-Grodofsky, 2019; Ramon, 2022). With war, violence, and political conflicts occurring at alarming rates worldwide, it is urgent to examine their implications for social work and explore opportunities to foster long-term resolutions and advance sustainable peace.

While most social workers assume responsive roles that address the immediate effects of war on individuals and communities, some adopt a broader social justice perspective, addressing the implications of war for all those affected, and work toward ending the conflict and promoting peace (Soffer-Elnekave, 2024). Given that many Israeli social workers refrain from political activism, it is essential to explore the experiences and perspectives of those who work to promote peace. This study aims to investigate the roles, perspectives, and ethical dilemmas of Israeli social workers engaged in peace work within the context of war. By examining how they navigate the intersection of professional identity and peacemaking, the study seeks to identify ways to expand social workers' involvement in peacebuilding.

Method:

Narrative methods (Lieblich et al., 1998) were used to explore the professional experiences and perceptions of 10 Israeli social workers. Participants were recruited through purposeful sampling to identify those engaged in peace work. Each participant completed an in-depth interview and a social history questionnaire. Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Analysis followed Lieblich’s (1998) narrative analysis framework, which involved holistic reading for content, followed by inductive coding. Trustworthiness was strengthened through triangulation, member-checking, and thick description.

Findings:

Preliminary findings indicate that social workers engaged in peace work encounter considerable challenges and ethical dilemmas. These include tensions between their professional values and practice, conflicts between micro-level and macro-level roles, and dilemmas regarding the moral imperative to publicly express political views versus the expectation of professional neutrality. Specifically, social workers grappled with balancing loyalty to the state with adherence to professional ethics, addressing individual needs while also pursuing broader societal goals, and amplifying politically minoritized voices in a polarized society. Some participants did not identify a direct connection between their professional roles and peace work, yet others considered their activism an integral part of their professional identity and ethical commitment.

Discussion:

While social workers have a professional and moral responsibility to promote the well-being of all members of society—including a duty to foster peace and work toward ending war—the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has presented significant challenges for Israeli social workers who are also peace activists. Implications for social work research, practice, and education in regions affected by war and political conflict include integrating a conflict-aware approach for social work (Soffer-Elnekave, 2024) while reinforcing the profession’s commitment to its core ethical principles.