Wednesday, June 25, 2025

Polaris of Enlightenment

“They call it ‘genocide’ – but don’t invoke the Genocide Convention”

The situation in Gaza

World leaders denounce Israel's actions as genocide, but no invocation of the Genocide Convention is seen, writes independent journalist Sam Husseini.

Published 14 December 2023
Sam Husseini. Palestinian children walking among ruins in the Gaza Strip.
5 minute read
This is an opinion piece. The author is responsible for the views expressed in the article.

Many say seemingly brave things. But do they do what’s needed to change a situation? It’s not too hard to denounce a party, wash your hands of a horrific situation. It’s harder to do something which might actually stop them from committing their criminal activity.

Many nations have denounced the Israeli as well as US governments. They deserve that and then some. Some have even called it “genocide” – but not one government has invoked the Genocide Convention against Israel. (By contrast, several nations just recently invoked it against Myanmar. Some of these countries have petitioned the ICC, but that body has a long record of not administering justice, particularly to Palestinians.)

Many say seemingly brave things. But do they do what’s needed to change a situation?

Head of the Palestinian Authority Mahmoud Abbas recently said: “This US policy makes it complicit in the crimes of genocide, ethnic cleansing, and war crimes committed by the Israeli occupation forces against Palestinians in Gaza, the West Bank, and Jerusalem.”

Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva recently told Al Jazeera: “What we see is genocide going on, killing thousands and thousands of children that have nothing to do with that, women that have nothing to do with that.”

South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa said: “The collective punishment of Palestinian civilians through the unlawful use of force by Israel is a war crime. The deliberate denial of medicine, fuel, food and water to the residents of Gaza is tantamount to genocide” See video. International Relations Minister, Naledi Pandor has referred to “atrocities and genocide of the Israeli government”. She has also stated: “South Africa cannot watch another genocide unfold” See video. [See piece by Patrick Bond on the influence of the Israel lobby in South Africa.]

Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro stated: “It’s called Genocide, they do it to remove the Palestinian people from Gaza and take it over. The head of the state who carries out this genocide is a criminal against humanity. Their allies cannot talk about democracy.” He has referred to the “genocide and barbaric acts against the Palestinian people.”

Venezuela’s President, Nicolas Maduro said: “We must demand, with one voice, an end to the genocide against the Palestinian people.” He reportedly also said: “Enough of the Nazi-Zionist genocide against the children of Palestine!”

“Enough of the Nazi-Zionist genocide against the children of Palestine!”

Algeria’s President Abdelmadjid Tebboune said: “Where is humanity? And where is the global conscience that has become absent regarding the genocide being committed?”’

Türkiye’s President Tayyip Erdogan called on Israel to “immediately end its operations amounting to genocide.”

Bolivia’s President Luis Arce called Israel’s actions “war crimes” and urged the United Nations Security Council to “prevent the genocide of the Palestinian people.”

Djibouti’s President Ismail Omar Guelleh said (according to a news report that didn’t use quotes): Palestinian people are being subjected to genocide and ethnic cleansing.

Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in an interview on the Israel-Palestine war. Photo: Aljazeera

Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi said Israel’s actions were “within the legal definition of genocide.”

Pakistan’s UN Ambassador Munir Akram said: ”We cannot mince our words; we have to tell the Israelis: stop the genocide.”

Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi told Russian President Putin: “What is happening in Palestine and Gaza is, of course, genocide and a crime against humanity.”

Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani denounced as “shameful” international inaction over Israel’s “genocide” in Gaza as he opened a Gulf Cooperation Council meeting in Doha. He was quoted by Al Jazeera: “It is a disgrace on the international community to allow this heinous crime to continue for more than two months – where the systematic and purposeful killing of innocent civilians continues, including women and children.” (As I have noted, Al Jazeera English, which is funded by Qatar, has, to my knowledge not reported to their viewers than any country can invoke the Genocide Convention.)

Oman’s Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Albusaidi said: “Oman regards this act as a continuation of war crimes and genocide and a clear breach of international laws and conventions established to protect people during conflicts.”

Prof. Francis Boyle from the University of Illinois notes: “Article 1 of the Genocide Convention requires all contracting parties to ‘prevent’ genocide.”

Boyle represented Bosnia before the ICJ and that court ruled:

In fact, a State’s obligation to prevent, and the corresponding duty to act, arise at the instant that the State learns of, or should normally have learned of, the existence of a serious risk that genocide will be committed. From that moment onwards, if the State has available to it means likely to have a deterrent effect on those suspected of preparing genocide, or reasonably suspected of harbouring specific intent (dolus specialis), it is under a duty to make such use of these means as the circumstances permit.

“Article 1 of the Genocide Convention requires all contracting parties to ‘prevent’ genocide.”

The Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, adopted 75 years ago, states in its opening paragraph: “The Contracting Parties confirm that genocide, whether committed in time of peace or in time of war, is a crime under international law which they undertake to prevent and to punish.” The “Contracting Parties” should live up to said contract.

Specifically Article 9 states: “Disputes between the Contracting Parties relating to the interpretation, application or fulfilment of the present Convention, including those relating to the responsibility of a State for genocide or any of the other acts enumerated in Article 3, shall be submitted to the International Court of Justice at the request of any of the parties to the dispute.” Again, the “Contracting Parties” should live up to said contract.

Other countries have stopped short of calling it genocide, but their words clearly indicate that they understand the threat of genocide is there. Irish President Michael D. Higgins on Israel said: “To announce in advance that you will break international law and to do so to an innocent population reduces all the code that was there from the Second World War on the protection of civilians, and it reduces it to tatters.” President of Sinn Féin Mary Lou McDonald made a fiery speech which got a lot of traction online, but ultimately it was just a call for Ireland going to the ICC, which, has been a dead end and has already been done by several other states over the last two months.

Meanwhile, calls by Irish Nobel Peace Laureate Mairead Maguire and others for the Irish government to invoke the Genocide Convention have gone unheeded.

Other countries, including Chile, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Comoros, Belize, Chad, Honduras, Bahrain, Cuba, Belgium and Spain have been critical of Israel, often accusing it of war crimes in ways that show that they too explicitly understand the need to prevent a genocide. Indeed, the recent UN resolution for a ceasefire had about 100 co-sponsors. But none of them have invoked the Genocide Convention either.

Particularly interesting is this piece on Malaysia “Malaysia unlikely to invoke Genocide Convention, says expert.”

 

Sam Husseini

 


This article was originally published on Sam Husseini’s Substack

About the author

Sam Husseini is a Jordanian-Palestinian journalist and political activist. Currently serving as the communications director of the Institute for Public Accuracy in Washington DC, he has a background in promoting progressive experts in mainstream media. His career includes work with the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee and Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting.

A US citizen since 1984 and a Carnegie Mellon University graduate, he has contributed to various publications including CounterPunch, The Nation, and The Washington Post. Known for his forthright style, he has been involved in notable incidents like questioning the Saudi ambassador at the National Press Club and being removed from a Russia–United States summit press conference.

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Survey: Swedes are the world’s fifth most critical of Israel

The situation in Gaza

Published 11 June 2025
– By Editorial Staff
Trust in corruption accused Benjamin Netanyahu is also very low in most countries.
3 minute read

A survey by the American research institute Pew Research Center shows that the world has a predominantly negative attitude toward Israel and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Swedes are among the most critical in the world – only four other countries have a more negative opinion. A full 75 percent of those surveyed in Sweden say they have a somewhat or very negative image of Israel.

The survey was conducted last spring, and in 20 of the 24 countries surveyed, at least half of adults have a negative attitude toward Israel. In countries such as Australia, Greece, Indonesia, Japan, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, and Turkey, the proportion is particularly high, with around 75 percent or more expressing a negative attitude.

Support for Israel is lowest in Turkey, where 93 percent say they have a somewhat or very negative view of the country.

In India, opinions are more evenly divided, with 34 percent having a positive view and 29 percent a negative view. In African countries such as Kenya and Nigeria, the trend is different, with about half or more of those surveyed having a positive attitude toward Israel.

Illustration: Pew Research Center

Age and political affiliation influence

Compared to previous surveys, critical attitudes toward Israel have increased in several countries. In the US, the proportion of adults with a negative attitude has risen by 11 percentage points since March 2022. In the UK, the proportion has increased from 44 percent in 2013 to 61 percent this year.

The survey also shows clear differences based on age and political ideology. In high-income countries such as Australia, Canada, France, Poland, South Korea, and the US, younger people are more likely than older people to take a critical view of Israel, and in the US, the age difference is particularly clear.

Politically, people on the left are more likely to have a negative view than those on the right. In Australia, 90 percent of left-wingers have an unfavorable view, compared with 46 percent of right-wingers. In the US, the figures are 74 percent among liberals and 30 percent among conservatives.

Illustration: Pew Research Center

Low confidence in Netanyahu

Confidence in Benjamin Netanyahu is low in most countries surveyed. Except for Kenya and Nigeria, no more than one-third of adults in any country say they have confidence in his handling of international affairs.

In countries such as Australia, France, Germany, Greece, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, and Turkey, around 75 percent or more have little or no confidence in him. In several of these countries, a majority completely lack confidence in the corruption-accused prime minister.

Here too, there are differences linked to age and ideology. In Hungary, for example, people over the age of 50 are twice as likely to have confidence in Netanyahu as those between the ages of 18 and 34 (40 percent versus 20 percent).

Illustration: Pew Research Center

Ideologically speaking, right-wingers are more likely to support Netanyahu than left-wingers. In France, 25 percent of right-wingers trust him, compared to 12 percent in the center and 8 percent on the left.

Israelis are not particularly happy with developments either. In Israel, 58 percent of residents believe that their country is not very respected, or not respected at all, internationally, while 39 percent believe that it is.

These views are largely unchanged since last year, although the proportion saying that the country is not respected at all has increased from 15 to 24 percent.

Israel boards Greta Thunberg’s ship: “We have been kidnapped”

The situation in Gaza

Published 9 June 2025
– By Editorial Staff
Greta Thunberg
3 minute read

On Sunday night, the sailboat Madleen, with climate alarmist activist Greta Thunberg on board, was boarded by Israeli forces in international waters.

The incident occurred at around 2 a.m. when the boat was on its way to Gaza with supplies. According to Israel’s Foreign Ministry, the ship is now being taken to Israel instead of its original destination, and the passengers are said to be flown back to their home countries soon.

The crew of the Madleen, consisting of twelve people from the left-wing activist group Freedom Flotilla, left Sicily a week ago with Gaza as their destination. Shortly before boarding, at around 1 a.m., they reported that they were “very close” to their destination. Activist Yasemin Acar described how Israeli speedboats surrounded them:

– We suspect that this is psychological warfare and that they have planned this, she said.

The Israeli boats initially withdrew, but two remained nearby with their engines turned off, and shortly thereafter the crew sent an alarm via Telegram:

The Madleen is under attack in international waters“.

According to Freedom Flotilla, the boat was surrounded by drones that sprayed them with a white chemical substance. They also reported that “communications are blocked and disturbing noises are being played over the radio”. In a later update, a picture was published showing the crew wearing life jackets and holding their hands in the air, with the caption: “The Israeli army has boarded the ship”.

“Kidnapped in international waters”

The Freedom Flotilla claims that its crew has been kidnapped by Israeli forces, and Greta Thunberg has also shared a video clip with this message on social media:

– If you are seeing this video, it means we have been intercepted and kidnapped in international waters, she says in a video clip recorded before the boarding.

She urged her followers to put pressure on the Swedish government to secure her release.

The Israeli Foreign Ministry has not explicitly confirmed that it boarded the boats, but wrote on X that “The ‘selfie yacht’ is safely making its way to the shores of Israel. The passengers are safe and were provided with sandwiches and water, and are expected to return to their home countries“.

The ministry accused the activists of seeking publicity and added that “there are ways to deliver aid to the Gaza Strip – they do not involve provocations and selfies”.

The Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs is “closely monitoring the situation

Another post showed a picture of a soldier handing a plastic-wrapped sandwich to Greta Thunberg, with the caption “Greta Thunberg is currently on her way to Israel, safe and in good spirits“.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced that the crew will be shown videos of Hamas attacks on October 7 before they are released. He also claims that Thunberg is an anti-Semite who supports Hamas.

– It is appropriate that the anti-Semitic Greta and her fellow Hamas supporters see exactly who the Hamas terrorist organization they came to support and for whom they work is, what atrocities they committed against women, the elderly, and children, and against whom Israel is fighting to defend itself.

The Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs is closely monitoring the situation. In an email to the state television channel SVT, the Ministry wrote:

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the embassy in Tel Aviv are in contact with local authorities and are closely monitoring the situation. Should consular assistance be required, the embassy and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will assess how we can best help Greta Thunberg resolve her situation”.

Growing number of Europeans turning away from Israel

The situation in Gaza

Published 5 June 2025
– By Editorial Staff
Under corruption accused Benjamin Netanyahu, the world's trust in Israel has fallen dramatically.
2 minute read

Support for Israel is collapsing in Western Europe. A new poll shows record low confidence and growing anger over the Israeli invasion of Gaza.

After the ceasefire in Gaza collapsed, Israel announced plans to take control of three-quarters of the Palestinian territory in the coming months. Recently, more and more voices have also warned that what is happening is genocide, and that the Israeli plans aim to completely and permanently empty Gaza of Palestinians – so that they can then take control of the area themselves.

At the same time, a new survey by YouGov EuroTrack shows that support for Israel in Western Europe has fallen to record lows since the ground invasion and bombing of Gaza began.

The survey, which covers the UK, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain, shows a sharp decline in public opinion toward Israel. Net favorability – the difference between positive and negative ratings – has reached its lowest level since the survey began:

• Germany: -44

• France: -48

• Denmark: -54

Western Europeans’ sympathy for Israel is rapidly declining. Photo: facsimile/Yougov

In Italy (-52) and Spain (-55), the figures are also at record lows or shared lowest levels compared with previous surveys. Only 13–21 percent of respondents in any of the countries have a positive view of Israel, while 63–70 percent express a negative opinion.

Few Western Europeans support Israel’s actions

Support for Israel’s invasion of Gaza is weak. Only 6–16 percent of respondents in the six countries believe that “Israel were right to send troops into Gaza and have generally responded in a proportionate way to the Hamas attacks”. This represents a marginal decline compared with the corresponding survey in October last year.

A minority believe that Israel’s response has been proportionate. Photo: facsimile/Yougov

The perception that Israel’s attacks were justified has also weakened:

• France, Germany, Denmark: 24–25 percent still believe that Israel’s actions are justified.

• United Kingdom: 18 percent

• Italy: 9 percent (lowest)

At the same time, only 5–9 percent believe that Hamas’s initial attacks in late 2023 were justified.

Sympathies shift toward Palestine

Support for Israel has declined significantly. Only 7–18 percent today say they sympathize most with the Israeli side—the lowest or joint lowest rating in five of six countries since the Hamas attacks.

In contrast, between 18 and 33 percent sympathize more with the Palestinian side. In otherwise very pro-Israel Germany, support for each side is now almost evenly divided: 17 percent for Israel, 18 percent for Palestine.

Today, significantly more Europeans sympathize with the Palestinians. Photo: facsimile/Yougov

Confidence in lasting peace in the Middle East is also low among Europeans. Only 15–29 percent believe that both sides will be able to put their differences aside within the next decade.

The French are the most optimistic, with 29 percent believing in a peaceful solution, while the Danes are the most pessimistic, with only 15 percent. Belief in peace has declined by 4–10 percentage points in all countries.

According to analysts, the survey clearly shows how public opinion in Western Europe has shifted since the Hamas attacks in October 2023.

Criticism of Israel’s abuses and war crimes in Gaza is growing rapidly in many countries, while sympathy for Israel appears to be declining as more and more abuses and cases of gross violence against civilians come to light.

Jewish Power leader: “Time to go full force into Gaza”

The situation in Gaza

Published 30 May 2025
– By Editorial Staff
Ben-Gvir has long been identified as one of Israel's most belligerent voices - and wants Gaza completely emptied of Palestinians.
2 minute read

Israel’s invasion and bombing of Gaza have been described as among the most extensive in modern times and condemned worldwide because of the high number of civilian casualties.

However, the country’s far-right security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, has long been one of the strongest voices calling for further escalation of the situation – now he is insisting that it is time for Israel to “go in with full force” into the already bombed-out territory.

Ben-Gvir, who also leads the Jewish Power (Otzma Yehudit) party, believes that Israel should take control of both Gaza and the West Bank and has been criticized over the years, even in Israel, for praising Jewish terrorists and mass murderers.

Itamar Ben-Gvir also caused a major uproar when he attended the so-called “wedding of hate” in 2015, where guests celebrated the murder of a Palestinian family in the village of Duma. At the wedding, participants waved weapons and stabbed knives into a picture of the 18-month-old boy who was killed in the arson attack – an act that Ben-Gvir had previously defended.

The number of Palestinians killed during Israel’s invasion and bombings is unclear – but is estimated to be between 40,000 and hundreds of thousands.

However, given that Hamas has said that the new US-backed ceasefire proposal does not meet their demands, Ben-Gvir believes that too much caution has been exercised so far and that it is now time to seriously use military force.

Mr. Prime Minister, after Hamas rejected the deal proposal again – there are no more excuses, Ben-Gvir said on his Telegram channel.

– The confusion, the shuffling and the weakness must end. We have already missed too many opportunities. It is time to go in with full force, without blinking, to destroy, and kill Hamas to the last one.

Ben-Gvir’s definition of terrorists who must be eliminated includes, according to him, not only combatants but also all Palestinians who are considered to sympathize with the Islamist group.

He has also previously argued that it is difficult to determine which Palestinians belong to Hamas and which do not, and he has repeatedly argued that Gaza should be permanently emptied of Palestinians.

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