For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent, And for Jerusalem’s sake I will not keep quiet, Until her righteousness goes forth like brightness, And her salvation like a torch that is burning.
Isaiah 62:1
In the aftermath of October 7th, the charge of genocide has been increasingly leveled against Israel, particularly in the wake of the Israeli military response to the appalling antisemitic terror attack. The global stage has witnessed a surge of anti-Israel protests, ostensibly driven by a desire to halt what is perceived as the genocide of Palestinians. However, amidst the fervor of these demonstrations, a glaring irony remains unacknowledged—the entities responsible for these attacks (Hamas) openly declare their genocidal intent for Israel and the Jewish people.
The ensuing debate on this issue has been further complicated by the unexpected alignment of voices across the political spectrum. For example, US Representative Rashida Talib, known for her anti-Israel position, accused US President Joe Biden of supporting genocide against Palestinians.[1] Even more surprising is the resonance of such rhetoric among staunch conservatives. Candace Owens, a prominent figure in the American conservative movement with a large online following, echoed similar sentiments, labeling Israel's actions in Gaza as "genocide" in a recent tweet.[2]
Adding to the cultural confusion, Tucker Carlson, a former Fox News political commentator with a significant platform, recently hosted Palestinian Christian Munther Isaac on his popular show.[3] Isaac, a fervent anti-Zionist, seized the opportunity to criticize the Western church for its perceived silence on what he said was a genocide taking place in Gaza. In his 2023 Christmas sermon he said this about what is happening in Gaza: "If you fail to call this a genocide, this is on you, this is a sin and darkness you are willingly embracing.”[4] Carlson allowed Isaac's assertions to go unchallenged and without sufficient context regarding why the war started – as a response to the horrific brutality of Hamas.
The issue swiftly escalated to an international arena with the International Court of Justice (ICJ) hearing in January 2024, where South Africa brought charges of genocide against Israel for its military operations in Gaza. However, many observers view this trial as mere puppetry, undermining the credibility of the court and complicating efforts to attain justice and resolution.
True or False?
In the midst of these swirling allegations and counter-allegations, the fundamental question persists: Are these claims of genocide against Israel true? To answer this, it is imperative to peel away the layers of political rhetoric and ideological warfare, seeking clarity on the definition and characteristics of genocide.
The term "genocide" traces its roots to Rafael Lemkin in 1944, specifically denoting Nazi Germany's systematic extermination of Jews during World War II. Lemkin combined the Greek word for race, geno with the Latin suffix from the word kill -cide. At its core, genocide involves the deliberate intent to destroy a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group—a definition enshrined in the 1948 UN Geneva Convention on Genocide. Article II of the convention reads:
In the present Convention, genocide means any of the following acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group, as such:
a. Killing members of the group;
b. Causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group;
c. Deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part;
d. Imposing measures intended to prevent births within the group;
e. Forcibly transferring children of the group to another group [5]
Contrary to the allegations, demographic data presents a stark contradiction, with the Palestinian population experiencing a significant increase since 1948[6]. Israel maintains that its military operations in Gaza are singularly aimed at combating terrorism by removing Hamas therefore protecting its citizens from future harm, and seeking to rescue those who were brutally abducted on October 7th, rather than perpetrating genocide.[7] While civilian casualties are a tragic and unfortunate reality of conflict, it should be clear that Hamas, the aggressor, bears culpability for this. As the controlling government in Gaza, they had a responsibility to their own people, they showed no concern for them when they committed this attack, knowing full well it would bring strong repercussions. In addition, it is worth noting that many civilian deaths are because Hamas operate from civilian areas such as schools and hospitals, thereby violating international humanitarian law.
Indeed, the Hamas charter openly advocates for Israel's obliteration, underscoring its genocidal intent. For example, here are some statements found within the charter:
"Israel will exist and will continue to exist until Islam will obliterate it, just as it obliterated others before it." (Preamble)
"The land of Palestine is an Islamic Waqf [Holy Possession] consecrated for future Moslem generations until Judgment Day. No one can renounce it or any part, or abandon it or any part of it." (Article 11)
"The day the enemies usurp part of Moslem land, Jihad becomes the individual duty of every Moslem. In the face of the Jews' usurpation, it is compulsory that the banner of Jihad be raised." (Article 15)
The Day of Judgment will not come about until Moslems fight Jews and kill them. Then, the Jews will hide behind rocks and trees, and the rocks and trees will cry out: 'O Moslem, there is a Jew hiding behind me, come and kill him." (Article 7)[8]
The enemies of Israel frequently issue calls for the annihilation and murder of Jews, yet these sentiments often get completely ignored amidst the fervor of anti-Israel protests. The current war categorically does not meet the criteria to be classed as genocide and should not be labelled as such. Israel has repeatedly given away its military advantage by announcing to civilians which area will be attacked so they can leave. It has also repeatedly paused its military operations, opened humanitarian corridors for civilians to escape and airdropped leaflets with warnings of imminent attacks as well as providing humanitarian aid. These are not the actions of a nation seeking to commit genocide. Whereas as an unprovoked, unexpected assault on innocent civilians which left over 1200 dead and 200 taken hostage, is clearly within the remit of a genocidal threat.
The charge of genocide against Israel is not merely a legal or political issue but a deeply moral one. It is rooted in a phenomenon known as Holocaust inversion—a distortion tactic that equates Israelis with Nazis, thereby perpetuating antisemitism and historical revisionism. By shifting the moral responsibility for genocide, Holocaust inversion also contains elements of Holocaust denial—a dangerous trend that threatens to undermine the truth and perpetuate hatred.
As Christians, we are called to uphold the principles of justice, compassion, and truth. We must navigate these complex issues with discernment, rejecting the allure of divisive rhetoric and standing firm against antisemitism in all its forms. In the face of this challenge, may the Church be guided by the power of the Holy Spirit to champion the cause of truth and support the Jewish people amidst the satanic onslaught of antisemitism.
May all who hate Zion, Be put to shame and turned backward.
Psalm 129:5
If I forget you, O Jerusalem, May my right hand forget her skill.
Psalm 137:5
For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place and you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not attained royalty for such a time as this?”
Esther 4:14
[5] https://jewishinsider.com/2024/04/pastor-munther-isaac-tucker-carlson-antisemitism-israel-christians/
[6] https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/gaza-war-bethlehem-reverend-condemns-israel-gaza-genocide-christmas-sermon
[7] https://www.reuters.com/world/us-representative-tlaib-accuses-biden-supporting-genocide-against-palestinians-2023-11-04/
[8] https://www.timesofisrael.com/ben-shapiro-candace-owens-split-reflects-how-israel-antisemitism-divide-the-us-right/