Genocide Scholars Declare Israel’s Actions in Gaza as Meeting the Legal Definition of Genocide

Relatives mourn the loss of Palestinians killed in Israeli attacks.

International genocide experts have concluded that Israel’s conduct in Gaza qualifies as genocide under international law. A resolution issued Sunday by the International Association of Genocide Scholars (IAGS) states that Israel’s actions meet the criteria outlined in the 1948 United Nations Genocide Convention, which defines genocide as acts committed with the intent to destroy, wholly or in part, a national, ethnical, racial, or religious group.

The resolution cites over 59,000 reported deaths, 143,000 injuries, and numerous attacks on journalists, aid workers, and medical personnel. It also condemns the blockade on aid and the destruction of Palestinian schools and cultural sites, describing these acts as evidence of ongoing systemic violence.

It urges the Israeli government to immediately halt actions that constitute genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. The resolution calls for both Israel and the United Nations to support justice and reconciliation processes that promote democracy, dignity, and security for Palestinians. Additionally, it requests the International Criminal Court (ICC) to execute arrest warrants for Israeli leaders implicated in these alleged crimes.

International condemnation has intensified, with several nations recognizing Palestinian statehood amid reports of a “man-made” famine in Gaza. Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and B’Tselem, have independently affirmed that Israel’s actions amount to genocide. South Africa is pursuing a legal case at the International Court of Justice.

In contrast, the U.S. maintains a more reserved stance. Despite significant military aid—amounting to nearly $18 billion since October 2023—officials have not publicly acknowledged potential genocide. Some policymakers are reportedly considering plans for Gaza that critics describe as ethnic cleansing.

Israeli officials have dismissed the genocide allegations, calling the IAGS resolution an unverified political attack. Nonetheless, experts argue that the widespread rhetoric and documented actions suggest the threshold for genocide, particularly the intent to erase a group, may be met. Scholars emphasize that defining and proving genocide remains complex, especially with attempts to interpret the law narrowly.