Jewish Federations of North America

Today’s ruling by the International Court of Justice, while deeply flawed, affirms Israel’s right to continue defending itself from ongoing attacks by Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis following the horrific and brutal attacks of October 7th, the deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust. Importantly, it called for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages.

The court, however, should not entertain the absurd and illegitimate claim that Israel is committing genocide in this defensive war against a terrorist enemy. The court ruling ignores the significant measures that Israel is already taking in compliance with international law to avoid civilian casualties and provide humanitarian aid to the innocent people of Gaza while fighting an enemy that intentionally flouts the rules of war and embeds itself among civilians.

On the day before International Holocaust Remembrance Day, we must ensure that the meaning of the term genocide is not perverted or cheapened for political ends. In this war, the only group with genocidal intentions is Hamas.

For more, see JFNA's joint letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken on the subject.