The Genocide Of The Palestinian People| Azizah Nadira Manar Ahyari, Esa Yusalima

The Genocide Of The Palestinian People

Authors :

Azizah Nadira Manar Ahyari1, Esa Yusalima², Tatu Zakiyatun Nufus3

Psychology faculty of UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta, Indonesia

Abstract

This article discusses the view that the conflict between Palestinians and Israelis can be considered genocide
rather than war. Using a critical analysis approach, the article explores some of the evidence and arguments that
support the claim that what is happening in the region is more akin to genocide than war. This analysis involves
an in-depth understanding of the definition and criteria of genocide under international law, as well as the
application of these concepts to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The article examines a series of events, including
mass expulsions, systematic killings, and restrictions on access to essential resources, as evidence supporting the
genocide argument. It seeks to highlight the complexity of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and detail the reasons
why some consider it genocide. By approaching the issue analytically, the article provides deeper insights into
the nature and impact of the conflict and stimulates thinking relating to the fundamental question of whether this
conflict should be categorized as genocide or war.

Keywords: Palestine, Israel, Genocide

Introduction

After World War II, the world was moved to prevent humans from committing cruel
and terrible crimes such as genocide. Therefore, on December 9, 1948, the newly formed
United Nations (UN) at that time passed the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of
the Crime of Genocide (Genocide Convention). Article 2 of the convention defines genocide
as any act committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, any national group, race,
ethnic group, racial group, religious group. Unfortunately, although 153 countries including
Israel and Palestine have ratified the convention, genocide continues to occur.

Tel Aviv, the seat of Israel's interim government, claims that all of its military actions
are in self-defense against Hamas's continued attacks. However, these actions became a very
bloody military aggression. The continuous and indiscriminate attacks on Gaza civilians seem
to indicate that Israel is starting to turn a blind eye to humanitarian values. A number of
parties and experts even began to accuse what Israel is currently doing to the Palestinians as
an attempt at genocide. The act of killing and causing serious physical and mental injuries to
Palestinians is clearly evident from the casualties and injuries suffered by Palestinians and
Israelis throughout the war. However, there is a stark difference between Palestinian and

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Israeli casualties. Israel also deliberately created living conditions for Palestinians that led to
physical extermination, namely through the total blockade of Gaza.

The treatment carried out by Israel shows indications that they are involved in acts of
genocide. Statements from the UN provide additional support that is considered a valid
source confirming that such acts can be categorized as genocide. Genocide is often associated
with serious violations of human rights. Understanding human rights in the context of
genocide in Palestine can strengthen support for human rights as a whole. The aim of this
article is to make a significant contribution to raising global awareness of human rights
violations and justice. By choosing the topic of genocide in Palestine, this article not only
explores the history and dynamics of the conflict, but also encourages awareness, solidarity
and action in support of human rights and justice.

Discussion

The leaders of the United States, Britain, France, Canada and Italy have backed Israel's
right to defend itself against the Palestinian militant group Hamas. But they urged the Jewish
state to uphold international humanitarian law and protect civilians. Meanwhile, Shawan
Jabareen, director of human rights organization Al-Haq Foundation, told Anadolu that
"Israel's military operations in Gaza contradict and violate international law and the United
Nations charter for self-defense." Jabareen said that statements regarding Israel's right to self-
defense contradict international law, and are not legal statements, but rather political
statements biased against Israel. Most experts say that it is impossible to prove that Israel's
actions meet the current legal threshold. One of them is the opinion of Ernesto Verdeja, a
professor of political science and peace studies at the University of Notre Dame, who said "I
don't think it can be called genocide yet. I think it could easily happen,". With more than
14,000 Palestinians dead, according to the latest estimates from the Gaza government, the
urgency of the situation is not in doubt.

Experts point out that the charge of "genocide" has no greater legal value than "crimes
against humanity" or "war crimes" under international law. However, it is also true that the
words we use to describe conflict carry real weight. And that is why it is so important to
understand what is meant, and what is not, by the term "genocide."According to the Genocide
Convention, which entered into force in 1951 and has been ratified by 153 states, genocide

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 The Genocide Of The Palestinian People| Azizah Nadira Manar Ahyari, Esa Yusalima

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

Note that there are two components here. First is the physical element which is the five
actions just mentioned that can be empirically determined. The second is the mental element
which is the intention to destroy a group and this is difficult to prove.

On November 2, 2023, the United Nations (UN) said in a joint statement that
Palestinians in Gaza are at serious risk of genocide. This is evidenced by Israel's actions that
deliberately create living conditions for Palestinians leading to physical destruction, namely
through a total blockade of Gaza. Statistical data from the United Nations Office for
Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) shows that the supply of food, clean water, electricity, and
fuel for Palestinians in Gaza is highly dependent on access to border gates controlled by
Israel. This dependency occurs because Israel fully controls Gaza's land, air and sea borders
with the outside world, so that Gazans practically lose the majority of their sources of life
support when the access is closed by Israel. In addition, Israeli airstrikes have also been
proven to destroy fishing boats, bakeries, and water distillation factories, hospitals, and
refugee camps. Until now, Israeli forces are still continuing to launch attacks, as broadcast on
TvOne news. On Sunday, November 19, 2023, as many as 31 premature babies from Al Shifa
hospital had to be evacuated to southern Gaza hospitals due to poor conditions. Hospitals in
Gaza had difficulty placing the babies in incubators due to lack of electricity, minimal
medical care, and limited water and food. Given this situation, the plan is for all babies to be
transferred to hospitals in Egypt for better care. Thus, the combination of the total blockade
and the destruction of life-supporting infrastructure in Gaza has made millions of Palestinians
there increasingly in the shadow of death due to hunger, dehydration, and disease. These
actions are categorized as genocide and violate human rights.

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 The Genocide Of The Palestinian People| Azizah Nadira Manar Ahyari, Esa Yusalima

It is important to understand the genocide that is taking place in Gaza. By knowing the
meaning of the term genocide, we will understand that what is happening in Gaza is not an
ordinary riot or war.Israel and its allies are trying to make it look as if what is happening in
Gaza is a war triggered by the Hamas attack on October 7. In fact, what is happening today is
part of a long history of Israeli actions against Palestinians, with genocidal intentions and
practices. We are witnessing a rapidly growing anti-Palestinian sentiment not only in Israel,
but also in many European countries which is evident from how the authorities are indifferent
in dealing with demonstrations and support for the Palestinian people. Yet it is the duty of the
international community to address anti-Palestinian hatred.We as humans should be able to
defend and fight for justice for the Palestinian people who are being tortured in their own
homeland.

Conclusion

In this article, there is an emphasis on the view that Israel's actions against Palestinians,
especially in Gaza, can be considered genocide according to the definition of international
law. While Israel argues that its military measures are a form of self-defense against Hamas
attacks, emphasis is placed on the bloody impact of repeated attacks on Gaza civilians. The
total blockade of Gaza and the destruction of infrastructure by Israeli airstrikes are criticized
for creating conditions that clearly lead to the physical extermination of Palestinians.

The importance of paying close attention to the anti-Palestinian sentiment emerging not
only in Israel, but also in some European countries, and how the authorities have been
unresponsive to demonstrations and support for the Palestinian people was also highlighted.
Despite differences of opinion among experts, emphasis was placed on understanding the
conflict as part of a history of Israeli actions against Palestinians, involving dimensions of
genocide and human rights violations. The importance of global awareness, solidarity, and
action to address anti-Palestinian hatred and ensure fair protection of human rights amidst the
escalation of a conflict that has already claimed many victims was emphasized.

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