Genocide

The definition of genocide includes the killing of members of an ethnical, national, religious or racial group with the intention of destroying the whole or part of that group.

Genocide can also consist of actions that create conditions of life that can reasonably be understood to lead to the destruction of similar groups. Such actions also often constitutes war crimes, of willful killing, and crimes against humanity, of murder or even extermination.

What Israel is doing in Gaza is unquestionably strong evidence of the crime of genocide. It is evidence that should be immediately investigated by an impartial body.

When a few states thought that genocide was being committed in Darfur, the UN Security Council investigated the matter. Although its investigation found that genocide was not being committed, at least an investigation took place within a relatively short period of time.

The situation in Palestine has existed for more then 60 years, with Israel constantly killing and harassing Palestinians. Tens of thousands of Palestinians were slaughtered by Israel’s army using American made weapons.

If these actions are not investigated as genocide, then perhaps there is no such thing as genocide and our new year’s resolution might just as well be that we sit by while the Palestinians are slaughtered. At least then the people of Palestine would have the solace of knowing who is responsible for killing their children.

Curtis Doebbler,

Professor of law,

An Najah National University,

Nablus

30 December 2008

Info