An overwhelming majority of members of the International Association of Genocide Scholars (IAGS) have endorsed a resolution stating that Israel's military operations in Gaza meet the legal definition of genocide under international law.
According to official results released by the 500-member academic body, 86 percent of voting members supported the resolution. The document, referencing Article II of the 1948 United Nations Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, concludes that Israel's policies and actions in Gaza constitute genocide.
The three-page resolution urges Israel to "immediately cease all acts that constitute genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity against Palestinians in Gaza." It cites alleged acts including the killing of civilians, including children, deliberate starvation, denial of humanitarian aid, destruction of civilian infrastructure, and forced displacement.
While acknowledging the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attacks on Israel as constituting international crimes, the IAGS resolution states that Israel’s response has involved systematic and widespread crimes against humanity, war crimes and genocide. It specifically accuses Israeli forces of indiscriminate and targeted attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure in Gaza, including homes, hospitals, and commercial buildings.
Melanie O’Brien, IAGS president and professor of international law at the University of Western Australia, described the resolution as "a definitive statement from experts in the field of genocide studies that what is going on on the ground in Gaza is genocide."
Founded in 1994, the IAGS comprises scholars, historians, legal experts and human rights advocates. It has previously issued formal recognitions of genocides, including in cases such as the Armenian genocide.
Under the 1948 Genocide Convention, genocide is defined as acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group. This may include killing members of the group, causing serious bodily or mental harm, or deliberately inflicting conditions intended to bring about physical destruction.
At the time of reporting, the Israeli foreign ministry had not issued a public response to the resolution.
Israel is currently defending itself against separate genocide allegations at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the United Nations’ principal judicial organ. In addition, the International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant. A warrant for Hamas military commander Mohammed Deif was withdrawn following his reported death.
