THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — The largest professional organization of scholars studying genocide stated Monday that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza. This determination from the International Association of Genocide Scholars—comprising around 500 members worldwide—could further isolate Israel in global public sentiment, adding to a growing chorus of organizations labeling Israel's actions in Gaza as genocidal.
The resolution passed with 86% support among members, asserting that Israel's policies and actions in Gaza meet the legal definition of genocide, along with potential crimes against humanity and war crimes. Melanie O'Brien, the organization’s president and a professor of international law at the University of Western Australia, emphasized that experts in genocide can recognize the current situation for what it is.
Genocide was codified in a 1948 convention aiming to prevent atrocities similar to those witnessed in the Holocaust. Following Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack, which led to the current violent conflict, dispute persists regarding the characterization of these events; Israel labels Hamas's actions as genocidal, rejecting the accusation leveled against its own military operations.
In the ongoing conflict, substantial destruction has been reported throughout Gaza, with over 63,000 Palestinians reportedly dead in recent offensives, as per Gaza's Health Ministry. Israel contests these casualty figures, insisting on its efforts to avoid civilian harm while attributing civilian deaths to Hamas's operational tactics in dense residential areas.
The scholars' resolution stresses that the current hostilities, initiated by the devastating Hamas attack, constitute international crimes amidst escalating violence that has displaced millions.
In contrast, Israel maintains that its military actions are necessary for its national defense and that the characterization of its actions as genocide amounts to dangerous rhetoric. Amid ongoing military and political maneuvers, the inquiry into these claims continues, with implications that may extend to international legal frameworks.
