The ongoing genocide in the Gaza Strip will form the focus of the 15th Genocide Memorial Day to be held later this month.

The Israeli assault on Gaza, its people, infrastructure and essential services, which has so far led to the deaths of over 20,000 people, the vast majority of them women and children, is a quintessential example of genocide.

Many international lawyers and experts have said Israel’s actions meet the legal definition of a genocide. South Africa has filed a case of genocide against Israel at the International Court of Justice for its actions in Gaza.

At the start of the Israeli bombardment, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu invoked a biblical passage that talks of slaying “every man and woman, child and infant”. One Israeli minister even recommended “nuking” Gaza. Others Israeli politicians and pundits have publicly talked about expelling the Palestinian population from Gaza. In their pursuit of these ends, Israeli jets and artillery have repeatedly bombed and attacked hospitals, ambulances, schools, mosques, churches, residential buildings and roads full of fleeing civilians.

There is a dark irony in the fact that IHRC is addressing an unfolding genocide in the same place that was the focus of attention for the first ever GMD in 2010.

After 14 years we have come full circle. While Israel continues to prosecute its genocidal attack on Gaza with the approval and support of many international powers, we are left asking why the lessons of history are being ignored, not only in Gaza but elsewhere too.

Then as now, a besieged occupied people was subjected to indiscriminate bombardment by one of the world’s most powerful armies seeking to extinguish their physical presence as well as their spirit of resistance.

Israel will not be the only country under the spotlight. India is another example of a country that is hurtling towards genocide. India is ruled by a party that professes a Nazi-inspired Hindutva ideology. Its politics are dominated by the delegitimising and demonising of its Muslim and Christian minorities. Extremist Hindu nationalist leaders openly issue genocidal statements threatening to eliminate them. Discrimination and violence against these communities have become normalised. Lynchings and attacks on their religious symbols and places of worship are commonplace. Such is the level of animosity that has been stirred up that many observers have warned that the country is on the verge of an impending genocide.

Genocide Memorial Day not only highlights current and past genocides and genocidal activities, seeking to stop new ones happening in the future. It was started by IHRC in 2010 to commemorate past and ongoing genocides and to raise awareness about genocide prevention. It takes place on the third Sunday of January each year.[ENDS]

INFORMATION FOR EDITORS

Date: Sunday, 21st January 2024
Venue: P21 Gallery, 21-27 Chalton St, London NW1 1JD
Time: 1pm-4pm GMT

Confirmed speakers

Prof Richard Falk

Prof Haim Bresheeth

Sara Russell

More yet to be confirmed

For more information or comment please contact the Press Office on (+44) 208 904 0222  or (+44) 7958 522196 or email media@ihrc.org or visit the dedicated GMD page.

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