Gaza Conflict: Experts Weigh In on Genocide Claims

A group of experts who study genocide has made a bold statement. They say Israel is committing genocide in Gaza. This group, the International Association of Genocide Scholars, has around 500 members worldwide. Many of them are experts in the Holocaust. Their statement could make Israel even more isolated in the eyes of the world. The group's resolution says Israel's actions in Gaza fit the legal definition of genocide. It also mentions crimes against humanity and war crimes. The resolution was supported by 86% of the members who voted. The group's president, Melanie O'Brien, said experts can see the situation for what it is. Genocide is defined by a 1948 convention. It includes acts meant to destroy a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group. The United Nations and many Western countries say only a court can decide if genocide has happened. A case against Israel is currently before the U. N. 's highest court. Israel strongly denies the genocide claims. It calls the accusation an antisemitic "blood libel. " Israel also points to Hamas' October 7, 2023, attack. In that attack, Hamas killed around 1, 200 people, mostly civilians, and took 251 hostages. Forty-eight hostages are still in Gaza, with around 20 believed to be alive. Since October 7, 2023, Israel's offensive has caused widespread destruction in Gaza. Most of the territory's 2 million people have been displaced. Over 63, 000 Palestinians have died, according to Gaza's Health Ministry. The ministry says around half of the dead are women and children. Israel says it tries to avoid harming civilians. It blames Hamas for civilian deaths, saying the militants fight in densely populated areas. Israel also says Hamas is prolonging the war by not surrendering and releasing the hostages. Supporters of Israel point out that its military could kill far more Palestinians if it wanted to. Genocide scholars say there's no numerical threshold for the crime. The scholars group has made similar statements in the past. They said China's treatment of Uighurs and Myanmar's crackdown on Rohingya Muslims meet the threshold for genocide. In 2006, they said statements by then-Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad had "genocidal intent. " In July, two prominent Israeli rights groups also said Israel is committing genocide in Gaza. South Africa has accused Israel of breaching the Genocide Convention at the International Court of Justice. Israel rejects this accusation. A final ruling could take years. The court does not have a police force to enforce its rulings. If a nation believes another member has failed to comply, it can report that to the U. N. Security Council. The Security Council has tools ranging from sanctions to authorizing military action. But all actions require support from at least nine of 15 council nations. They also need no veto by a permanent member. The United States, Israel's staunchest backer, has said it does not believe genocide is taking place.