The Hague, Netherlands (AP) – The largest specialized organization of scholars studying genocide said on Monday that Israel is committed to genocide In Gaza.
The decision by the International Association of Genocide Scholars, which has around 500 members worldwide, including many Holocaust experts, has helped to further segregate Israel with global public opinion. Growing chorus of organizations using the terminology of Israeli behavior in Gaza. Israel has repeatedly refused to file charges.
“Israel’s policies and actions in Gaza meet the legal definition of genocide,” according to a group resolution supported by 86% of those who voted, meeting crimes against humanity and war crimes. The organization did not release details of the vote.
“People who are experts in genocide research can see what this situation is,” Melanie O’Brien, president of the University of Western Australia’s organization and professor of international law, told The Associated Press.
Genocide has been codified It was a 1948 convention created after the horrors of the Holocaust, which defined it as “committed with the intention of destroying national, ethnic, racial or religious groups.” The United Nations and many Western countries can justify whether a crime has been committed or not, only the courts said. The case against Israel lies before the UN Supreme Court.
Israel, partially established as a refuge in the wake of the Holocaust when around six million European Jews were killed, has vehemently denies it is committing genocide. It called the accusation an anti-Semitic “blood honor lib loss” and said it Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023 It caused the war itself to be a genocide.
In the attack, Hamas-led militants killed around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and sought 251 people. 48 hostages Stay in Gaza, where Israel believes to be alive.
The resolutions of academic organizations begin with the recognition that attacks “constituents international crime.”
Israel’s Foreign Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The first Israeli attacks since October 7, 2023 have levelled Gaza’s massive swaths, displaced most of the 2 million people on the territory. More than 63,000 Palestinians have died, according to Gaza’s Ministry of Health.
The ministry is part of the Hamas-run government and is staffed by medical professionals. The United Nations and independent experts consider it the most reliable source of information on victims of war. Israel challenges the numbers, but does not provide its own.
Israel says it is making every effort to prevent militants from hurting civilians and condemn Hamas’ death as they fight in densely populated areas. That’s called Hamas It’s extending the war By surrendering and not releasing the hostages.
Israeli supporters point out that its powerful army can kill far more Palestinians if they wish. Genocide scholars say there is no numerical threshold for crime.
A group of scholars, founded in 1994, previously held it Treatment of Uyghur minority Muslims in China Myanmar’s brutal crackdown Rohingya Muslims Meets the genocide threshold.
In 2006, the organization issued a statement by then-Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, calling for Israel to be “swept from the map,” calling for urgent action with “genocide intent” to take place.
In July, two prominent Israeli rights groups (B’tselem and Human Rights – Israeli doctors) said their country was violating genocide in Gaza. The organization does not reflect mainstream Israeli thinking, but it was the first time a local Jewish-led organization has filed such a charge.
International Human Rights Organizations It is also leveled Appeal.
Meanwhile, it is in South Africa He accused Israel of violating the Genocide Treaty In the International Court of Justice – claims that Israel would reject it. The final verdict could take years.
court There is no police to carry out that verdict However, if the country believes another member has failed to comply with the ICJ order, it can be reported to the UN Security Council.
The council has tools from sanctions to approval of military action, but all actions require support from at least nine countries of the 15 councils, and no veto by permanent members such as the US, Russia, China, the UK, France, etc. President Donald Trump, a solid supporter of Israel, said he doesn’t think genocide is happening.
