PAX is deeply concerned by the many reports of impending genocide in Gaza. All indications in this direction reinforce our belief that a pause in fighting is insufficient. A permanent ceasefire is needed. Moreover, the Dutch government must immediately stop supplying weapons to Israel.
A fortnight ago, dozens of experts employed by the UN argued that Israel’s many violations of international law in Gaza point to a genocide in the making. Evidence for this is seen, among other things, in the large-scale violence against Palestinian civilians and civilian targets, resulting in massive destruction. Over 15,000 have already been killed, mostly civilians. Thousands more are missing and probably lying under the rubble. More than half of the houses in Gaza have been damaged or even completely destroyed. Some eighty percent of the more than two million inhabitants have fled.
What is genocide?
In the crime of genocide, it is important to establish that the perpetrator’s actions are intentional. This is stated in Article 2 of the Genocide Convention. This convention defines the crime as a set of acts ‘committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group.’
According to the same article, this includes:
- Killing members of the group
- Causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group
- Deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part
UN experts see this intention in Israeli leaders inciting targeted violence against Palestinian civilians and calling for a second Nakba. This refers to the creation of the state of Israel in 1948, when some 700,000 Palestinians were driven from their land and more than 500 villages were destroyed. A leaked document from an Israeli ministry suggesting the transfer of all Gaza residents to Egypt will undoubtedly also have been taken into account by these experts.
Many warnings
The UN experts are not the first to warn of genocide. Many have preceded them. A month earlier, for example, nearly 800 academics and legal scholars warned in an open letter that Israel may be committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, using similar arguments. Civil society organisations, including Palestinian ones who experience Israeli violence on a daily basis, argue the same. Spanish minister Ione Belarra has repeatedly argued that action should be taken against Israel for genocide in Gaza. South Africa recently used the same terminology. A number of scholars in the Netherlands also argued last week that genocide is imminent.
PAX understands these warnings well and is very concerned about the situation. The answer to this must first and foremost be a ceasefire to stop the violence and prevent even more suffering. The Dutch government should not wait another day to speak out on this. In addition, the Netherlands must immediately stop supplying Israel with weapons, such as components for fighter planes.
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