The International Association of Genocide Scholars (IAGS) has issued a statement saying that Israel’s actions in the Gaza Strip meet the UN definition of genocide, writes the BBC.
In a three-page resolution, the IAGS describes Israel’s actions during the 22-month war as constituting genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes, according to the organization. IAGS is the world’s largest association of genocide researchers, and 28% of its 500 members voted in the vote. Of those who voted, 86% supported the resolution.
The summary of Israeli policies and actions points to widespread attacks on both personnel and structures essential for survival, including in the health care, humanitarian and education sectors. It also stressed that, according to the UN charity Unicef, Israel has killed or injured around 50,000 children, which will seriously affect the Palestinians’ chances of re-establishing themselves as an ethnic group.
The resolution noted that there is support among Israeli leaders for the complete expulsion of Palestinians from Gaza, while the Israelis are completely destroying the homes in the territory. The IAGS pointed out that Israeli politicians use expressions that dehumanize Palestinians, calling them all enemies, promising to “level Gaza to the ground” and turn it into hell.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry said that
the resolution was based on lies from Hamas,
that the research was insufficient, and that it was a disgrace. A ministry spokesman added that it was Israel that was the victim of genocide.
Israel regularly denies that its actions in Gaza amount to genocide, and justifies any action with self-defense.
The IAGS researchers noted that while the Hamas attack on the 7th of October, 2023, was also a crime, Israel’s response is not only directed against the terrorist group, but also against the entire population of the Gaza Strip.
The UN Genocide Convention, adopted in 1948 after the crimes committed by Nazi Germany, defines genocide as crimes committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, religious, or racial group.
A number of the world’s leading human rights organizations, including two Israeli human rights organizations, have stated that they believe that Israel is committing genocide. Meanwhile, the UN and some Western countries have stated that they will only recognize as binding a court’s decision that genocide has been committed. The UN International Court of Justice is currently considering a South African application that Israel is committing genocide. Israel has been given until January 2026 to prepare its defence.
Israel controls all crossings into the Gaza Strip and, as the occupying power, is responsible under international law for protecting the lives of civilians. This includes preventing famine, which is currently not being done.
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