We, the undersigned members of the London Business School community, are appalled by the recent statements made by the school's administration, particularly, Dean Francois, regarding the events currently taking place in Palestine/Israel. We demand an immediate investigation into the background and release of these one-sided statements, as well as their public retraction along with a clear condemnation of the ongoing gross human rights violations of the civilians in the Gaza Strip.

We condemn loss of civilian life in any shape or form. While attempting to highlight this, the Dean neglected to mention the lives of Palestinians lost, insinuating they do not matter. The Dean’s statement is highly problematic as it is shamefully one-sided, erases Palestinians by failing to mention the word, and fails to condemn the ongoing, blatant war crimes and grave violations of international law by Israel, the occupying Power, including the severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Dean Francois’ statement adds fuel to a reality where Palestinians are being actively dehumanized, fueled by western media narratives, and violently targeted at an unprecedented scale costing thousands of Palestinians their lives as we speak. The statement is especially offensive and hurtful to LBS community members who are mourning the displacement and death of family members and loved ones in Gaza (one of whom has lost 7 family members by Israeli airstrike on their home). Considering the completely grotesque situation that the entire world is witnessing live, our institution must uphold the highest principles of inclusion, justice, integrity, and human rights.

The 2.2 million Palestinians of the Gaza Strip, who have endured a brutal and crippling illegal blockade for the last 16 years, on the heels of 56 years of Israeli occupation - the longest military occupation of modern history - are now enduring an unprecedented Israeli government and military campaign that is carpet bombing entire civilian neighborhoods and indiscriminately targeting dozens of civilians (men, women and children) by the hour. Israel’s stated policy of systematically denying the residents of Gaza electricity, water, food, and humanitarian aid is a violation of Article 33 of the Geneva Convention that has further worsened the existing humanitarian crisis. At the time of this letter, Israel has dropped over 6,000 bombs on Gaza, with civilian casualties nearing 1,600 deaths, 60 percent of which are women and children, 6000 injured and almost half a million internally displaced, with the number growing by the minute. This also includes the killing of journalists, UN staff, paramedics, as well as the bombing of residential buildings, schools, mosques, ambulances, and medical facilities, using white phosphorus (as confirmed by the Human Rights Watch) which violates international humanitarian law. Entire families have been wiped off the civil registry. Israel has also now threatened the displacement of over 1.1 million Gazans by ordering them to leave northern Gaza or face potential extermination by ground invasion a bombardment. Such atrocities demand our collective voice and moral responsibility.

The moral indifference of the Dean and his representation of LBS is ethically abhorrent as it ostracizes thousands of the LBS community members, 600 million Arabs, 1.5 billion Muslims, and the majority of humanity that adheres to a clear ethical compass that should condemn the targeting of civilians, war crimes, and collective punishment.

We, the undersigned students, faculty, staff, alumni, and concerned members of the LBS community, ask you to take a firm stance against the actions of the Dean, as well as the wide scale aggression and the humanitarian crisis currently taking place in the occupied Palestinian territory. We further demand the following actions to be taken by the School administration:

1. Provide a clear explanation and justification to the LBS Community on the background of these statements, drafting, and approval to release on behalf of the School. It is deeply worrying an academic and leader of our community would take a one sided political stance, effectively implying the endorsement of Israel’s collective punishment of millions of Palestinians on behalf of an entire community as well as mis-associating student groups to this stance (including the Middle East Club)

2. Immediately retract the statement issued along with a public apology for its release (on social channels where this statement was posted and to the entire Community), clearly condemning the ongoing gross human rights violations of the civilians in the Gaza Strip and expressing our institution's commitment to human rights and peace that is anchored in peace, justice and international law.

3. Advocate for immediate access of humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza, including food, water, energy, and medical supplies.

4. Engage in an open dialogue with students, faculty, and experts in the field to foster inclusion and a deeper understanding of the conflict, its roots and causes, and explore potential avenues for conflict resolution and peace.

We, the undersigned members of the LBS community, stand in solidarity with the people of Palestine and their right to live in equality, dignity, and freedom. We call on our leadership at London Business School to uphold its own commitments to non-discrimination, humanitarian values, and international law immediately and without delay. We are steadfast in our belief that as a Community and Institution, we must prove our humanity to those who have lost theirs.