Pay Attention to the Accusations of Genocide Against Israel
Regarding the ongoing question of whether Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, the Biden administration has displayed a dismissive attitude.
It appears that U.S. officials have reached a consensus on the term “meritless.” “The allegation of genocide lacks merit,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated solemnly during a press conference in Tel Aviv this week. “Unfounded and unhelpful,” exclaimed John Kirby, the spokesperson for the National Security Council. The administration’s apparent lack of concern is hard to believe. The extensive 84-page case presented to the court by South Africa is filled with compelling evidence that highlights Israel’s failure to meet its obligations under the 1948 international genocide convention. This convention defines genocide as deliberate acts aimed at destroying a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group, either in part or in whole. The document presented to the court is thoroughly researched and referenced, and numerous experts have praised the legal argument for its exceptional strength.
Israeli political and military leaders have played a significant role in strengthening the arguments against their government. Israeli officials’ statements are being presented as proof of their intentions. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has invoked the Old Testament’s account of the massacre of Amalek, urging Israelis to remember and spare no one, regardless of age or gender. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has made a firm commitment to completely eradicate Gaza, vowing that it will never return to its previous state. The minister of energy and infrastructure has gone as far as declaring that Gaza will be deprived of basic necessities until its inhabitants are no longer alive. Israeli leaders have brought attention to the destruction of Gaza and the displacement of its residents, shedding light on a topic that is often concealed or denied in cases of genocide.
It is uncertain how well each side will present their arguments or how the judges will make their decisions. The hearings taking place in The Hague this week will not provide a definitive answer regarding Israel’s alleged genocide. Determining the truth will require a thorough and meticulous gathering and presentation of evidence, which could potentially span over several years. Currently, South Africa has urgently requested the court to intervene and put an end to Israel’s military actions. The aim is to safeguard the well-being of Palestinians and ensure that crucial evidence is preserved. The panel of judges must be persuaded that the accusation of genocide holds merit in order to issue provisional measures in the near future. Even if there is a recognition that the evidence points towards genocide, it is crucial for the international community to take action and ensure the safety and well-being of the distressed and malnourished population in Gaza. This can be achieved by calling for an immediate cease-fire and providing the Palestinians with substantial aid. In the long run, this case could potentially set a precedent for imposing sanctions on Israel or holding its officials accountable through legal means.
The proceedings hold significance for the United States as well. The Biden administration has played a crucial role in supporting this conflict, providing military assistance, financial aid, and diplomatic protection to Israel, even in the face of alarming reports of Palestinian casualties and forced displacement. If the violence in Gaza is determined to be genocide, it could lead to potential charges of complicity in genocide against the United States, which would be considered a serious crime. Considering the immense influence of the United States and its history of avoiding international repercussions, it may seem unlikely that there will be any significant consequences. However, it is important for Americans to recognize the gravity of the situation and acknowledge that their own government is involved. Israel and its U.S. supporters will, naturally, present a different perspective on this matter. It is important to acknowledge the significant impact that Israel experienced on Oct. 7, when Hamas militants carried out a series of brutal attacks in southern Israel, resulting in the loss of numerous innocent lives and the abduction of many others into Gaza.
Israeli and American officials have consistently cited self-defense as the reason behind the violence in Gaza. This same principle is anticipated to influence Israel’s arguments in The Hague. However, acts of genocide cannot be excused or justified by self-defense, and Israel’s assault on Gaza is an extremely disproportionate response to the crimes of Oct. 7. Israel refrained from carrying out a precise retaliation against Hamas (whose leaders operate their political activities from Qatar) or embarking on a strategic search for the hostages. Israel has only managed to save one hostage, unfortunately, there was a tragic incident where Israeli soldiers mistakenly shot and killed three Israeli hostages who were waving a white flag and pleading for help, as they were mistaken for Palestinians. The majority of the 110 Israeli hostages who have returned home were freed through diplomatic means, such as truce agreements, negotiations, and prisoner exchanges.
Shortly after the Hamas attack, Israel implemented a strict blockade on the Gaza Strip, resulting in the deprivation of essential resources such as electricity, water, fuel, and food for the approximately 2.2 million people living there, including a significant number of children. The blockade itself was a grave violation, demonstrating a disregard for human rights and international law. However, this was just the beginning of a series of troubling events. Soon after, the airstrikes commenced and have persisted ever since. In a television clip from Gaza, Col. Yogev Bar-Sheshet warned of the devastating aftermath that awaits anyone who dares to return. The landscape will be transformed into a barren wasteland, leaving nothing but destruction in its wake. There is a complete absence of houses, agriculture, and any other form of development. They lack potential for growth and development.
According to the Gazan health ministry, the number of casualties in Gaza due to Israeli actions is alarmingly high, reaching over 23,000. Over 9,000 of the deceased are young ones. By late November, UNICEF reported that over 1,000 children had endured painful amputations, often without access to anesthesia. Doctors in Gaza have reported instances where women giving birth were subjected to cesarean sections without anesthesia. Whole communities have been devastated, with a staggering 85 percent of the population forced to leave their homes. In order to comprehend this exceptional outburst of violence as a form of national self-defense, one must acknowledge that Israel’s pursuit of safety hinges on the need to subdue and remove, through various means, the majority of Palestinians from Gaza.
Furthermore, Israeli officials have made similar statements.
Tzipi Hotovely, Israel’s ambassador to Britain, recently discussed with the British TV host Iain Dale the reasons behind Israel’s actions in Gaza. She emphasized the extensive network of tunnels used by Hamas, which she claimed were connected to various buildings including schools, mosques, and houses.
Mr. Dale suggested a drastic solution of demolishing every building in Gaza.
“Is there an alternative option you can propose?” Ms. Hotovely responded.
As the academic conference approached, Israeli officials made efforts to present a more favorable perception.
On Tuesday, the Israeli military shared a video on Twitter emphasizing that their focus is on Hamas, rather than the people of Gaza. According to a report from Israel’s Channel 12, Mr. Netanyahu advised his ministers to exercise caution when discussing the ongoing conflict. Mr. Netanyahu reportedly emphasized the importance of thoughtful language, even though his own rhetoric has been aggressive. Eylon Levy, the Israeli government spokesman, has consistently referred to the South African case as a baseless accusation, drawing parallels to historical conspiracy theories that have long targeted the Jewish community. Mr. Levy sternly warned the South African government that history will pass its judgment without any leniency. The belief that South Africa is perpetuating a long-standing and reprehensible tradition of antisemitism highlights the highly sensitive nature of this case.
The understanding of war crimes and genocide that we have today can be traced back to the atrocities of the Holocaust. When people, including many Americans, who received a thorough education about the Holocaust, hear accusations of genocide being leveled against the Jewish state, it often evokes a strong sense of disbelief. This disbelief stems from the fact that the desperate situation of Palestinians was either downplayed or completely ignored during their academic studies. Recently, an Israeli historian and genocide specialist named Raz Segal, who has claimed that Israel’s activities in Gaza constitute “a textbook case of genocide,” conveyed this cognitive dissonance to me. Segal has called Israel’s actions in Gaza “a textbook case of genocide.”
According to Dr. Segal, a professor at Stockton University in New Jersey, the notion of the Jewish state being capable of war crimes or genocide is completely inconceivable. Israel’s actions are consistently shielded from accountability.
During his address to the tribunal on Thursday, South African barrister Max du Plessis emphasized the importance of considering Israel’s prolonged oppression of Palestinian rights as a significant factor in the violence in Gaza. He highlighted that the situation should not be oversimplified as a mere dispute between two parties. According to him, Israel has been in control for over fifty years and has oppressed the Palestinian people, denying them their right to self-determination. And these violations take place in a world where Israel has long considered itself exempt from and superior to the law.
The concept of “genocide” resonates deeply within our collective consciousness. We consider Rwanda, Bosnia, the Armenians, the Trail of Tears, and, of course, the Holocaust. I have encountered numerous individuals who strongly oppose the notion that Gaza might be undergoing a genocidal situation. The Holocaust, indeed, resulted in the devastating loss of over 60 percent of European Jews. Israel’s conflict, initiated by the tragic loss of Jewish lives, has resulted in the unfortunate loss of approximately 1 percent of the Palestinian population in Gaza. One percent is certainly concerning, but the magnitude of the issue is deeply troubling.
According to the genocide convention, however, this term refers to a deliberate intention to eliminate a specific group of individuals and actively pursuing actions to accomplish that objective. There is no specific point at which death becomes inevitable, nor is there a specific ratio of death that must be met. Committing an act of genocide can involve causing harm to a relatively small number of individuals. We should approach this question with a sense of humility, as we have often demonstrated our ability to acknowledge genocide only after the fact. It is important for us, as Americans and members of the Western world, to reflect on this pattern. Almost all major instances of genocide, such as the Holocaust, were initially met with skepticism and semantic debates before a declaration was eventually made, albeit far too late.
Rwanda, a topic frequently discussed alongside the Holocaust in the tragic history of genocide, was recognized as such only after significant delays and hesitation from European and American authorities, who were reluctant to intervene. During this time, U.S. officials refrained from publicly acknowledging the gravity of the situation. The denial of the Bosnian genocide persists even in academic circles, with some refusing to acknowledge the atrocities that took place.
The harrowing details from Gaza go on and on. The overwhelming strain on the medical system. The tragic loss of humanitarian workers. The killing of journalists. The assault on academic institutions, religious sanctuaries, and artistic expression. The impact on families and the challenges it poses to economic stability and opportunities.
Gaza is a place where safety is a constant concern. This line is duplicated in the South African lawsuit. A large number of individuals are experiencing extreme hunger. Approximately 70 percent of the deceased are women and children, with two mothers losing their lives every hour, according to estimates by the United Nations. During a recent discussion, South African advocate Tembeka Ngcukaitobi highlighted Israel’s decision to withhold fuel and water from Gaza. “There is no doubt about it: It signifies the deliberate creation of circumstances leading to the loss of life for the Palestinian people in Gaza,” stated Mr. Ngcukaitobi. Considering the devastating choices one may face, it is crucial to address the pressing issue at hand. However, to pass away, nonetheless.
The devastation of bakeries, water pipes, sewerage, and electricity networks. Raising Israeli flags above the wreckage. Israel’s government is urging for the return of settlers to Gaza.
