A case for claiming that Israel is committing a genocide

make a case for claiming that Israel is committing a genocide, and name all Israel’s supporting countries

ChatGPT said:

The question of whether Israel is committing genocide is highly controversial and deeply contested, both legally and politically. What follows is a presentation of the arguments made by those who claim that Israel is committing genocide, based on international legal frameworks, as well as a list of countries that support Israel diplomatically and militarily. This does not represent a legal conclusion but a synthesis of existing claims and geopolitical alignments.

Claim: Israel Is Committing Genocide

Those who argue that Israel is committing genocide often refer to the 2023–2024 war in Gaza and earlier actions in the occupied territories. They cite the following legal and factual points:

1. Definition of Genocide Under International Law

Under the UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (1948), genocide is defined as acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group, including:

Killing members of the group
Causing serious bodily or mental harm
Deliberately inflicting conditions calculated to destroy the group
Imposing measures to prevent births
Forcibly transferring children of the group

2. Alleged Acts That Support the Genocide Claim

Critics and some legal scholars argue that Israel’s actions meet this definition through:

Mass killings of civilians in Gaza, especially during the 2023–2024 war (over 37,000 Palestinians reportedly killed, many women and children).
Destruction of civilian infrastructure, including hospitals, schools, and homes.
Blockade of essential supplies, including food, water, fuel, and medicine, contributing to famine and mass suffering.
Statements by Israeli officials that could be interpreted as showing genocidal intent. For example, some politicians have referred to Palestinians as “human animals” or have called for the depopulation of Gaza.
Forced displacement of over 1 million Gazans from the north to the south under siege conditions.
Denial of humanitarian aid, which contributes to deliberate conditions of life calculated to destroy.

These arguments were central to South Africa’s case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in 2024, where the court found that some of South Africa’s claims were plausible and ordered Israel to prevent genocidal acts, although it has not yet ruled definitively on whether genocide occurred.

3. Support from Legal and Human Rights Experts

Multiple UN special rapporteurs, including Francesca Albanese, have warned of a risk of genocide.
Prominent legal scholars (e.g. Craig Mokhiber, former UN official) have stated that genocide is underway or imminent.
Human rights groups such as Al-Haq, B’Tselem, and Human Rights Watch have accused Israel of apartheid and warned of crimes against humanity.

Countries That Support Israel

Support varies in form: military, diplomatic, economic, or rhetorical. The following countries have consistently supported Israel, especially during the Gaza war:

Primary and Consistent Supporters

These countries defend Israel’s actions, supply it with military aid, or shield it diplomatically at the UN:

United States
- Provides over $3.8 billion/year in military aid.
- Vetoed multiple UN Security Council resolutions calling for a ceasefire.
- Has supplied weapons during the war in Gaza.
Germany
- Strong diplomatic supporter of Israel.
- Provides military equipment, including submarines and ammunition.
United Kingdom
- Supports Israel’s right to self-defense.
- Opposed unilateral ceasefire calls early in the war.
Canada
- Politically aligned with Israel, though some distancing occurred in 2024 due to public pressure.
Australia
- Traditionally a supporter of Israel, but recent shifts include abstentions at the UN.
France and some other EU states
- Have condemned Hamas and supported Israel’s right to defend itself, but many have also called for a ceasefire and humanitarian access.

Regional Allies and Normalizing States

Countries with diplomatic relations and cooperation with Israel under the Abraham Accords or otherwise:

United Arab Emirates
Bahrain
Morocco
Sudan (normalization process frozen)
Egypt (peace treaty partner)
Jordan (peace treaty partner)

While many of these countries have criticized Israel’s actions during the war in Gaza, they still maintain diplomatic or economic ties.

Final Note

Whether or not Israel is committing genocide is a matter currently before the International Court of Justice (ICJ). The final legal determination will rest on interpretations of intent, scale, and pattern of conduct, which are difficult to prove under international law.