Genocide Scholars Affirm Israel’s Actions in Gaza Meet Legal Definition

The International Association of Genocide Scholars (IAGS), a leading global body of experts, has formally backed a resolution asserting that Israel’s conduct in Gaza aligns with the legal definition of genocide. This significant declaration comes after a vote among its members, with 86% of participating scholars supporting the resolution.

The three-page document passed by the IAGS explicitly calls for Israel to immediately cease all actions that constitute genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity against Palestinians in Gaza. These actions include deliberate attacks on and killing of civilians, including children; starvation; deprivation of essential humanitarian aid, water, fuel, and other necessities; sexual and reproductive violence; and forced displacement of the population.

The resolution acknowledges the horrific Hamas-led attack of October 7, 2023, as an international crime itself, but states that since then, the Israeli government has engaged in systematic and widespread crimes against humanity, war crimes, and genocide. This includes indiscriminate and deliberate attacks on civilian infrastructure such as hospitals, homes, and commercial buildings in Gaza.

Melanie O’Brien, president of the IAGS and a professor of international law, emphasized that the resolution serves as a definitive statement from experts in genocide studies, confirming that the situation in Gaza constitutes genocide. The IAGS, founded in 1994, comprises academics, historians, political scientists, and human rights activists, and has a history of identifying genocides, including historical cases like the Armenian genocide.

The 1948 UN convention, drafted in the wake of the Holocaust, defines genocide as acts committed “with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group.” Signatory states are obligated to prevent and stop such crimes, which encompass killing group members, inflicting serious harm, imposing destructive living conditions, preventing births, or forcibly transferring children.

This resolution underscores the ongoing international scrutiny Israel faces, including allegations of genocide at the International Court of Justice and arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defense minister Yoav Gallant.

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