The world’s leading association of genocide scholars confirm what many already knew — Israel is committing genocide in Gaza.

The resolution comes just days after a UN-backed hunger monitor also confirmed what many already knew — Israel is causing famine in Gaza.

The International Association of Genocide Scholars (IAGS) – a body of over 500 academics and researchers, including prominent Holocaust experts – passed a resolution stating that Israel had “engaged in systematic and widespread crimes against humanity, war crimes and genocide” in Gaza.

According to the IAGS, Israel’s conduct fulfils the criteria laid out under the UN convention on genocide.

The IAGS resolution highlights the 50,000 children killed or injured in Gaza, as highlighted by the UN children’s agency UNICEF. It notes that the scale of death and destruction threatens the survival and regeneration of the Palestinian people as a group.

It draws attention to public statements by senior Israeli officials calling for the forced displacement of Gaza’s population, dehumanising language towards Palestinians, as well as promises to “flatten Gaza” and turn it into “hell” – which all demonstrate intent to destroy Palestinian society in the enclave.

Attacks on survival infrastructure

The IAGS statement lists systematic attacks on infrastructure essential to civilian survival, including hospitals, aid distribution networks, and education facilities.

Of the IAGS membership, 28 percent participated in the vote, with 86 percent voting in favour of the resolution.

Israel’s Foreign Ministry dismissed the resolution, calling it “an embarrassment to the legal profession.”

The 1948 UN Genocide Convention –  adopted following the mass murder of Jews by Nazi Germany – defines genocide as acts committed ‘with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group.’”

Several leading human rights organisations – including two based in Israel – have declared that they believe Israel is committing genocide in Gaza.

Meanwhile, the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the UN’s top judicial body, is considering a case brought by South Africa in late 2023, accusing Israel of breaching the Genocide Convention.  

In its initial ruling in January 2024, the ICJ found that there was a “plausible risk” of genocide and ordered Israel to take all measures to prevent it.