By Professor Ron Stockton, University of Michigan–Dearborn
Excerpt:
The International Association of Genocide Scholars (IAGS)—the world’s foremost body of experts on genocide—has declared that Israel’s actions in Gaza meet the legal definition of genocide under the 1948 UN Genocide Convention. With 86% of its voting members in agreement, this resolution is a historic milestone. For Arab Americans in Dearborn and beyond, it is also a profound moment of truth.
“What is going on on the ground in Gaza is genocide.”
— Melanie O’Brien, President of the International Association of Genocide Scholars (Guardian interview, Sept. 1, 2025)
A Defining Resolution From the World’s Experts
The International Association of Genocide Scholars, established in 1994 and composed of about 500 scholars worldwide, has issued a resolution that can only be described as definitive. Eighty-six percent of those who voted supported the motion declaring that Israel’s policies and actions in Gaza meet the legal definition of genocide.
The resolution cites:
- Killing of civilians, including children
- Starvation and deprivation of aid, fuel, and medicine
- Deliberate attacks on hospitals, homes, and civilian infrastructure
- Forced displacement of Gaza’s population
- Sexual and reproductive violence
It concludes that Israel has engaged in systematic and widespread crimes against humanity, war crimes, and genocide since October 7, 2023.
Context: October 7 and What Followed
The resolution does not minimize the Hamas-led attack of October 7, 2023, which it rightly identifies as a crime under international law. But the actions of the Israeli government since that date have gone far beyond legitimate defense. The indiscriminate bombing of Gaza, the siege that starves families, the destruction of schools and hospitals—these fit squarely within the framework of genocide.
This aligns with ongoing cases at:
- The International Court of Justice (ICJ), where Israel stands accused of genocide in a case brought by South Africa.
- The International Criminal Court (ICC), which has already issued arrest warrants for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.
Why the Scholars’ Voice Matters
As Melanie O’Brien, IAGS President, explained:
“This is a definitive statement from experts in the field of genocide studies that what is going on on the ground in Gaza is genocide.”
The association has historically recognized genocides—from the Armenian genocide to Rwanda. Its resolution on Gaza carries the same scholarly weight, grounded in decades of comparative study.
Implications for Dearborn and Arab America
Here in Dearborn, home to one of the largest Arab-American communities in the U.S., this resolution reverberates deeply.
- It validates what Palestinian families have been saying for months: this is not a war of defense but a campaign of extermination.
- It challenges U.S. politicians—especially Democrats who claim to represent our community—while they continue to approve military aid to Israel.
- It strengthens grassroots advocacy, giving campaigners a powerful, scholarly document to cite when calling for sanctions, embargoes, and UN intervention.
Silence From Israel—Responsibility for the U.S.
The Israeli foreign ministry has not responded to the resolution. But silence cannot erase what scholars, lawyers, and human rights organizations are now confirming: Gaza is enduring genocide.
And the United States, as Israel’s chief funder and arms supplier, bears direct responsibility. For the people of Dearborn and Arab America, this is not only a moral issue—it is a political one. Our votes, our voices, and our solidarity cannot be taken for granted by those who enable genocide.
Pull-Quote
86% of the world’s genocide scholars now say it plainly: Israel is committing genocide in Gaza.
Sources & References
- Guardian – Lorenzo Tondo (Sept. 1, 2025): Israel committing genocide in Gaza, world’s top scholars say
- UN Genocide Convention (1948): Full text
- International Court of Justice (ICJ): South Africa v. Israel case documents
- International Criminal Court (ICC): Press release on arrest warrants
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