Israeli Rights Groups Allege Genocide in Gaza, Shattering Domestic Taboo
Israeli Rights Groups Allege Genocide in Gaza, Shattering Domestic Taboo
In a landmark development, two leading Israeli human rights organizations, B’Tselem and Physicians for Human Rights-Israel, have publicly accused their own country of committing genocide in Gaza. This marks the first instance of Jewish-led local groups leveling such a grave charge against Israel during the nearly 22-month-long conflict.
The explosive claims intensify the ongoing international debate over the nature of Israel’s military offensive, launched following Hamas’ deadly October 7, 2023, attack. While Palestinian advocates and international bodies have long made similar assertions, including a case before the International Court of Justice, these allegations from within Israel are seen as shattering a profound societal taboo, given the nation’s founding in the wake of the Holocaust.
In response, the Israeli government vehemently rejected the accusations on Monday, calling the groups’ joint reports “obscene,” “baseless,” and “politically motivated.” The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that Israel adheres strictly to international law, targets only Hamas, and not civilians, asserting that such claims embolden the militant group.
The rights groups, denied access to Gaza, based their conclusions on testimonies, documents, eyewitness accounts, and legal consultations. They contend that Israel’s policies, coupled with statements from senior officials regarding its objectives, and the systematic dismantling of life-sustaining systems“>Gaza’s health and life-sustaining systems, demonstrate an intentional effort to destroy Palestinian society. Physicians for Human Rights-Israel specifically cited three acts of genocide as defined by international law, including “deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part.”
Despite their international standing, these groups are often considered on the political fringe within Israel, and their views do not reflect the majority. However, their pronouncements introduce a new, internal dimension to the scrutiny of Israel’s conduct in Gaza, challenging a society largely unified in its belief in the war’s righteousness and deeply sensitive to accusations of genocide.
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