I’m not known for congratulating the American Psychological Association very often. I’ve harshly criticized the APA’s leadership for failing to adequately prioritize our profession’s Do-No-Harm ethics during the so-called War on Terror. I’ve expressed serious reservations about the APA’s overly close ties to the military-intelligence establishment. And I’ve raised significant concerns about the fact that politicians whose views diverge sharply from APA’s avowed commitment to human welfare nevertheless receive campaign funds from the “Psychology PAC” of APA’s sister organization, APA Services, Inc.
But I have nothing but praise and appreciation for an action that the APA’s governing body — its Council of Representatives — took last week before the Association’s annual convention in Seattle, Washington. Recognizing the horrific and heightened violence and devastation that have become a recurring nightmare in Gaza ever since the deadly attacks in Israel last October, the Council has approved a statement calling for an “immediate, permanent, and comprehensive ceasefire in the Israel-Gaza conflict” — and by an overwhelming margin (64% to 36%).
I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to witness this historic occasion firsthand. Numerous Council members explained in compelling and heartfelt terms why this statement is important, necessary, and overdue. Yes, there were some who rose in opposition. But their appeals — including calls for a postponement of the vote — were entirely unpersuasive given the urgency of addressing the catastrophic harm and trauma that have beset the region. (I agree with those who wish the statement had gone even further, but I recognize that it needed to be crafted in a way that would win majority support from a diverse body.)
It’s worth emphasizing that the path to this consequential vote was an arduous, months-long journey full of twists and turns for the primary movers. A series of hurdles were apparently erected to keep the measure from the Council floor, and to thereby silence voices dedicated to ending the bloodshed — for Palestinians and Israelis alike. But this wasn’t surprising. I know from personal experience how Association officials successfully stalled and then blocked a simple ceasefire call from leaders of the APA’s peace psychology division.
Now that the Council has taken this step, the responsibility shifts to APA’s executive office to publicize and prioritize this call for a ceasefire. This is where I — and many others — hope not to be disappointed. Unfortunately, some skepticism is warranted. As just one example, after the Council voted to remove psychologists from involvement in abusive detention and interrogation operations at Guantanamo Bay, APA staff held a conference call with Pentagon officials to assure them that the new policy was merely “aspirational” — and that there would be no adverse consequences for military psychologists who continued to serve in these roles.
On its own, the new ceasefire statement has significant symbolic value. But for it to have real-world impact, APA’s senior leadership need to take the kind of follow-up action that they seemingly fear most: action that risks alienating powerful sources of funding, influence, and prestige. Most clearly, they must now call for an end to the U.S. government’s provision of the lethal weapons and political cover that have supported Israel’s genocidal assault on Palestinian civilians. Many other prominent individuals and organizations have already taken this stand.)
We should also see a range of other public communications from the APA — press releases, magazine articles, and related announcements. Topics might include the following: descriptions of the work of courageous health professionals amid exceedingly dire circumstances, guidance for parents on how they should talk to their children about the carnage and suffering (in Gaza and in Israel); reports on new collaborations between the APA and other organizations already providing assistance to those in great need; and more.
APA senior staff cannot realistically act as though the momentous ceasefire vote didn’t happen. The statement will inevitably become part of the official records of the Association. But will it be widely promoted by APA’s leadership headquartered in Washington, DC, and will it become a springboard for further action? We don’t yet know the answers to these questions. But there’s already a worrisome sign: more than a week has passed and the APA’s general membership still hasn’t been informed of this historic vote.
So let’s applaud the APA’s Council of Representatives for doing the right thing. And let’s insist that the Association’s executive office now do the same.