Two leading Israeli human rights organizations has accused, Israel of committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, on Monday, July 28, becoming the first such organizations to make the claim.
Young Communists during the mass demonstration against war and starvation in Sakhnin, Friday, July 25, 2025 (Photo: Zo Haderekh)
B’Tselem said in a major report that it came to that “unequivocal conclusion” after an “examination of Israel’s policy in the Gaza Strip and its horrific outcomes, together with statements by senior Israeli politicians and military commanders about the goals of the attack.” A second Israeli group, Physicians for Human Rights Israel, announced it was joining B’Tselem in calling Israel’s actions in Gaza genocide. It published a separate legal and medical analysis documenting a deliberate and systematic extermination of the health system in Gaza.
B’Tselem said in the 79-page report that the reality on the ground in Gaza “cannot be justified or explained as an attempt to dismantle the Hamas regime or its military capabilities.” Announcing the report’s findings, B’Tselem Executive Director Yuli Novak said that “nothing prepares you for the realization that you are part of a society committing genocide. This is a deeply painful moment for us. But as Israelis and Palestinians who live here and witness the reality every day, we have a duty to speak the truth as clearly as possible: Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinians. Our genocide has context.”
Also, on Monday, the presidents of five of Israel’s leading universities published an open letter to far-right Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, raising concerns over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. “Alongside a growing segment of the Israeli public, we observe with shock the harrowing scenes emerging daily from Gaza, where hunger and disease continue to claim the lives of the most vulnerable,” the university leaders said. They added that they were appalled by statements made by some politicians who were “advocating for the intentional destruction of Gaza and the forced displacement
of its civilian population.”
On Sunday morning, Arab-Palestinian national minority in Israel leadership launched 3-day hunger strike against Gaza starvation, reject new Israeli government aid policy as PR stunt. The strike is part of a burgeoning anti-war campaign in the Arab community that included a 10,000-strong demonstration in Sakhnin sponsored by Paternishp for Peace on last Friday. The community leaders are also planning demonstrations on Monday afternoon at Jaffa and on Tuesday evening at the US Embassy in Tel Aviv.
Responding to a question from The Times of Israel, Mohammad Barakeh, a leading member of the Communist Party of Israel and head of the High Follow-up Committee, an umbrella organization representing Arab-Palestinian citizens of Israel, says the strike was decided upon weeks ago, and indicates that the organizers were unimpressed by Israel’s announcement last night that it would increase the flow of aid into Gaza.
Responding to a question from The Times of Israel, Mohammad Barakeh, head of the High Follow-up Committee, an umbrella organization representing Palestinian citizens of Israel, says the strike was decided upon weeks ago, and indicates that the organizers were unimpressed by Israel’s announcement last night that it would increase the flow of aid into Gaza. According to Barakeh, the aid entering Gaza under the new Israeli measures is not nearly enough to feed the Strip’s population.
“This is not an operation to save lives,” he says. “This is a public relations operation that follows international pressure and the horrifying pictures that are circulating in the world.” He also says the Follow-up Committee has for months had plans in place to send and distribute aid and accuses Israeli authorities of refusing the scheme.
During a press conference held in Jaffa, speakers called for an end to the war and starvation and immediate release of the hostages. They also accuse Zionist political parties of whitewashing the situation in Gaza, and praise French President Emmanuel Macron for his decision to recognize Palestine in September.
Related: https://maki.org.il/en/?p=32873
