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Genocide Scholars Association Declares Israel's Actions in Gaza Amount to Genocide

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The International Association of Genocide Scholars has passed a resolution stating that Israel's policies and actions in Gaza meet the legal definition of genocide. According to the resolution, 86% of the association's 500 members voted in favor of the declaration. The resolution cites Article II of the 1948 United Nations Convention for the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, which defines genocide as crimes committed with the intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group. The resolution calls on Israel to immediately cease all acts that constitute genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity against Palestinians in Gaza. The association's president, Melanie O'Brien, stated that this is a definitive statement from experts in the field of genocide studies that what is going on in Gaza is genocide.

Key Takeaways:

  • The International Association of Genocide Scholars passed a resolution declaring that Israel's policies and actions in Gaza meet the legal definition of genocide, with 86% of the association's 500 members voting in favor.
  • The resolution cites Article II of the 1948 United Nations Convention for the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, which defines genocide as crimes committed with the intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group.
  • The resolution calls on Israel to immediately cease all acts that constitute genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity against Palestinians in Gaza.
  • The resolution states that the Hamas attack on Israel which precipitated the war constituted international crimes.
  • The association's president, Melanie O'Brien, stated that this is a definitive statement from experts in the field of genocide studies that what is going on in Gaza is genocide.
  • Several international rights groups and some Israeli NGOs have already accused Israel of committing genocide.
  • Last week, hundreds of U.N. staff at the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights wrote a letter to ask the High Commissioner to explicitly describe the Gaza war as an unfolding genocide.

Statistics:

  • 86% of the International Association of Genocide Scholars' 500 members voted in favor of the resolution declaring Israel's actions in Gaza constitute genocide.
  • 63,000 people have been killed by Israel's military action in Gaza since October 2023.
  • 1,200 people were killed by Hamas fighters in Israeli communities during the initial attack.
  • 250 people were captured by Hamas as hostages.
  • A global hunger monitor relied on by the United Nations has reported that parts of Gaza are suffering a man-made famine.

Sources:

  • Cyprus Mail 2022: "Genocide Scholars Association Declares Israel's Actions in Gaza Amount to Genocide" (provided by SyndiGate Media Inc.)
  • Reuters: "Genocide scholars declare Israel's actions in Gaza amount to genocide" (author not specified)
  • United Nations Convention for the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (1948)

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