The International Association of Genocide Scholars (IAGS) has passed a resolution asserting that Israel’s actions in Gaza constitute genocide, as defined by international law. The resolution, supported by approximately 86% of the 500-member association, claims that Israel’s “policies and actions in Gaza” meet the legal criteria set out in Article II of the 1948 UN Convention on Genocide.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry responded vehemently, labeling the resolution as “disgraceful” and alleging it is based on what they describe as a “campaign of lies” by Hamas. Israel has consistently denied that its military actions in Gaza amount to genocide, framing them instead as acts of self-defense. Currently, Israel is contesting a case at the International Court of Justice in The Hague, which accuses it of committing genocide.
Since the escalation of violence following Hamas’ attack on October 7, 2023, over 63,000 people have been reported killed in Gaza, as per information from the Gaza health ministry. The Israeli government claims that more than 1,200 individuals, including an estimated 30 children, died during the initial assault, which also resulted in over 200 hostages being taken. Reports indicate that Gaza is facing severe humanitarian crises, with some areas experiencing what a global hunger monitor, supported by the United Nations, describes as a man-made famine.
The IAGS resolution calls for an immediate cessation of actions deemed genocidal, including attacks on civilians, starvation tactics, deprivation of humanitarian aid, and forced displacement. It also emphasizes that the Hamas attack on Israel, which initiated the current conflict, constitutes international crimes.
Melanie O’Brien, the president of the IAGS and a professor of international law at the University of Western Australia, stated, “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 added that there is no justification for committing war crimes or genocide, not even under the guise of self-defense.
The 1948 UN Genocide Convention, established to prevent atrocities similar to those during World War II, defines genocide as actions committed with the intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial, or religious group. The convention obligates all signatory countries to take measures to prevent and stop genocide.
Since its establishment in 1994, the IAGS has recognized nine historical or ongoing events as genocides through similar resolutions. The association publishes a journal and organizes international conferences focused on genocide studies, making it a leading authority in the field. Another entity, the International Network of Genocide Scholars, also conducts conferences and publishes research but does not issue resolutions.
In a supportive statement, Ismail Al-Thawabta, head of the Hamas-run Gaza government media office, praised the resolution as a significant scholarly stance. He asserted that it places a legal and moral obligation on the international community to intervene and protect civilians while holding Israeli leaders accountable.
Professor Sergey Vasiliev of the Open University in the Netherlands, who is not affiliated with the IAGS, remarked that the resolution reflects a growing consensus in academia regarding the legal assessment of Israel’s actions in Gaza.
In recent developments, numerous international rights organizations and several Israeli NGOs have accused Israel of genocide. Last week, hundreds of staff members from the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, led by Volker Turk, urged him to explicitly characterize the ongoing conflict in Gaza as genocide, according to a letter reviewed by Reuters.
The situation remains fluid, with ongoing debates about the legality and morality of actions taken by both Israel and Hamas in a conflict that has deep historical roots and severe humanitarian implications.
