The International Association of Genocide Scholars (IAGS) has passed a resolution declaring that Israel’s actions in Gaza constitute genocide. The resolution, which garnered support from 86% of the voting members, asserts that Israel’s “policies and actions in Gaza” meet the legal definition outlined in Article II of the 1948 UN Convention on Genocide. This decision follows significant escalation in the conflict after the October 7 Hamas attack, which resulted in over 1,200 deaths, including approximately 30 children, and the taking of more than 200 hostages, according to the Israeli government.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry has condemned the resolution as “disgraceful” and claims it is based entirely on what they describe as Hamas’ “campaign of lies.” The Israeli government has consistently denied accusations that its military operations in Gaza amount to genocide, asserting that its actions are justified under the principle of self-defense. Currently, Israel is engaged in a case at the International Court of Justice in The Hague, facing allegations of genocide.
In the wake of the ongoing conflict, the situation in Gaza has deteriorated significantly. The Gaza Health Ministry reports that over 63,000 people have been killed since October 7, highlighting the human toll of the violence. The UN has indicated that parts of Gaza are experiencing conditions akin to a man-made famine, a claim the Israeli government disputes.
The IAGS resolution calls on Israel to “immediately cease all acts that constitute genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity against Palestinians in Gaza.” Specific allegations include deliberate attacks on civilians, deprivation of humanitarian aid, and forced displacement. The document also acknowledges that the initial Hamas attack on Israel constituted international crimes.
Melanie O’Brien, president of the IAGS and a professor of international law at the University of Western Australia, emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, “This is a definitive statement from experts in the field of genocide studies that what is going on on the ground in Gaza is genocide.” She further noted that there is no justification for such actions, even in the name of self-defense.
The 1948 UN Genocide Convention defines genocide as actions taken with the intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial, or religious group. The convention obligates all member states to intervene to prevent and stop acts of genocide.
Since its founding in 1994, the IAGS has passed nine resolutions recognizing various historical and ongoing events as genocides. The association is recognized as the largest academic organization dedicated to genocide studies, publishing a journal and hosting international conferences.
In response to the resolution, Ismail Al-Thawabta, head of the Hamas-run Gaza government media office, welcomed the academic stance, suggesting it places a legal and moral obligation on the international community to act urgently to protect civilians and hold accountable those responsible for the violence.
Professor Sergey Vasiliev of the Open University in the Netherlands remarked that the resolution signifies a shift in the legal assessment of the situation in Gaza, reflecting a growing consensus among scholars in genocide studies. Additionally, numerous international rights organizations and some Israeli non-governmental organizations have accused Israel of committing genocide.
Recently, hundreds of staff members from the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights have urged the UN to explicitly characterize the conflict in Gaza as an unfolding genocide, according to a letter obtained by Reuters.
The ongoing conflict in Gaza continues to raise profound humanitarian concerns and legal implications, as the international community grapples with the unfolding crisis.
