Is the war in Gaza a genocide? That question has been lingering in the back of people’s minds for a month now, as South Africa brought a case against Israel to the United Nation’s top court in mid-December alleging genocide against the Palestinians. The court ultimately did not order a ceasefire, but, it did order that Israel must work to prevent genocide, alongside death and destruction against the people of Palestine (AP News). The panel for the court included an eighty-seven-year-old survivor of the Holocaust, Aharon Barak, who was also a former president of Israel’s supreme court (CNN). Barak voted in favor of allowing aid to enter Gaza and ordering Israel to cease all inflammatory speech towards Palestine (CNN).  

Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, denied the allegations of genocide, declaring that “Like every country, Israel has an inherent right to defend itself” (Al Jazeera). The ruling was issued on the eve of International Holocaust Remembrance Day, which furthered Israel’s anger toward the case as a Jewish State (AP News). Israel wanted the case to be dismissed, with Netanyahu deeming that “The charge of genocide leveled against Israel is not only false, it’s outrageous and decent people everywhere should reject it” (Al Jazeera). Israel, due to the 1948 Genocide Convention, must work to prevent genocide at all costs, but Itamar Ben-Gvir, Israel’s National Security minister, suggested Israel disregard the UN court’s ruling (Vox). Regardless of the various reactions to the ruling, it still stands, and Israel could potentially be found guilty of genocide, even if that ruling comes within a couple of years. 

Chloe Erno, Staff Writer

Chloe Erno is a staff writer for the 2023-2024 Colonel Newsmagazine. She is also a part of the marching band and Inner Visions. She likes dogs and has two named Bella and Sadie. She enjoys drawing and writing in her free time.