International Association of Genocide Scholars Accuses Israel of Genocide in Gaza

Sat Sep 13 2025 09:22:47 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

A significant statement from the International Association of Genocide Scholars claims Israel's actions in Gaza amount to genocide, adding to the international debate surrounding the Israel-Hamas conflict.

The International Association of Genocide Scholars, a leading body of genocide experts, announced that Israel's actions in Gaza constitute genocide under international law. This statement, supported by 86% of its members, raises serious discussions around the global perception of Israel amidst ongoing conflict. Israeli officials have vehemently denied these allegations, framing them as antisemitic blood libel and attributing blame to Hamas for initiating violence. The controversy continues as the humanitarian crisis in Gaza intensifies.

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — In a recent announcement, the International Association of Genocide Scholars (IAGS), the largest organization of scholars studying genocide, declared that Israel's military actions in Gaza amount to genocide.

This determination comes as part of a broader response to the ongoing conflict, asserting that Israel's policies and actions fulfill the legal definition of genocide. IAGS, comprising around 500 members, supports the resolution with an overwhelming majority vote of 86% among participants. However, details of the vote have not been disclosed.

Melanie O’Brien, the organization's president, stated, People who are experts in the study of genocide can see this situation for what it is, highlighting the organization’s serious stance amidst rising global scrutiny of Israel’s actions.

The 1948 Genocide Convention outlines genocide as acts intended to destroy, in whole or part, a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group. While the United Nations has noted that only a court can formally label actions as genocide, ongoing discussions at the U.N.'s highest court involve the conflict with Israel.

Israel has categorically rejected these claims, equating them to a 'blood libel', and has emphasized its perspective that the violent actions taken by Hamas, particularly the October 7, 2023, attack which resulted in significant civilian casualties, qualify as genocidal acts.

During its military operations since the Hamas attack, Israel insists it has aimed to minimize civilian harm and has blamed Hamas for casualties occurring in densely populated areas. The conflict has resulted in more than 63,000 Palestinian deaths according to local health authorities, a number disputed by Israeli officials who have not proposed alternative figures.

International human rights groups, including prominent Israeli organizations like B’Tselem and Physicians for Human Rights-Israel, have echoed the IAGS's sentiments, albeit this stance does not represent mainstream Israeli opinion. Nevertheless, the accusations present a significant moment in the discourse on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The court proceedings initiated by South Africa regarding Israel's alleged breaches of the Genocide Convention signify the mounting pressure on Israel within the international community. The Genocide Scholars’ assertion joins an array of human rights criticisms aimed at Israel’s military operations in Gaza, prompting discussions on accountability and moral responsibility on a global platform.