Israel's Military Campaign in Gaza May Meet Legal Definition of Genocide, Says Human Rights Watch Founder

Strategic Insights -

Former Human Rights Watch head Kenneth Roth, whose father was a Holocaust survivor, has stated that Israel's military campaign in Gaza is likely to meet the legal definition of genocide, citing large-scale killings, the targeting of civilians, and statements from senior Israeli officials. Roth agreed that Hamas committed "blatant war crimes" in its attack on Israel last year, but argued that it is a "basic rule" that war crimes by one side do not justify war crimes by the other.

Roth cited comments from Israeli officials, including former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, who referred to Gazans as "human animals," and Israeli President Isaac Herzog, who stated that "an entire nation" was responsible for the attack and that the notion of "unaware, uninvolved civilians is not true." Roth believes that a ruling on genocide may ultimately come from the International Court of Justice, especially if a forthcoming judgment on Myanmar sets a precedent.

Key Takeaways:

  • Kenneth Roth, the former head of Human Rights Watch, believes that Israel's military campaign in Gaza may meet the legal definition of genocide due to large-scale killings, targeting of civilians, and statements from senior Israeli officials.
  • Roth acknowledged that Hamas committed "blatant war crimes" in its attack on Israel last year, but argued that it is a "basic rule" that war crimes by one side do not justify war crimes by the other.
  • Roth cited comments from Israeli officials, including former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, who referred to Gazans as "human animals," and Israeli President Isaac Herzog, who stated that "an entire nation" was responsible for the attack and that the notion of "unaware, uninvolved civilians is not true."
  • Roth believes that a ruling on genocide may ultimately come from the International Court of Justice, especially if a forthcoming judgment on Myanmar sets a precedent.
  • Roth accused the Israeli government of enforcing a system of apartheid in the occupied West Bank, citing over 200 pages of evidence and stating that the Israeli government was unable to offer a factual rebuttal.
  • Roth, a Jewish son of a Holocaust refugee, stated that it is disturbing to be accused of antisemitism for criticising a government and that the term is being used to suppress legitimate criticism of Israel.

Statistics:

  • 1200 people, mostly civilians, killed by Hamas in its attack on Israel
  • Over 200 pages of evidence presented in the Human Rights Watch report accusing Israel of enforcing a system of apartheid in the occupied West Bank
  • 730,000 Rohingya fled Myanmar due to mass killings and destruction of life-sustaining conditions

Sources:

  • RNZ News (Video: 30Ç with Guyon Espiner)
  • Kenneth Roth's interview with Guyon Espiner
  • Human Rights Watch report (2021) accusing Israel of enforcing a system of apartheid in the occupied West Bank