Gaza: questioned on LCI by a Palestinian, Glucksmann still refuses to speak of “genocide” despite accusations from international experts

ByMuhammad

During the broadcast The Great Showdown on LCI, Mahmoud Al Banna, a Palestinian whose father died in Gaza and whose family is still there, questioned MEP Raphaël Glucksmann on Tuesday about his refusal to use the term “genocide” to describe the situation in the Palestinian enclave. Mahmoud Al Banna denounced the “atrocities” and “war crimes” committed by the Israeli army, asking the MEP why he did not use the word “genocide”, when he had used it to denounce the repression against the Uighurs.

Visibly moved, Raphaël Glucksmann assured that he was “upset” by the young man’s testimony. He recalled having warned on October 7 of the danger of a response aimed at “razing Gaza” and reaffirmed his opposition to Israeli colonization in the West Bank, described as a “abject crime”. Glucksmann nevertheless defended his choice not to use the qualification “genocide”, affirming that he wanted to remain “extremely cautious” in the use of this term, which he reserves for situations where the total extermination of a people is proven. He says he sticks to the formula of the International Court of Justice evoking a “risk of genocide”, while calling for an end to war crimes and the sanctioning of Israeli officials.

A position that contrasts with that of many institutions and specialists in the field. A UN commission now accuses Israel of genocide. A world reference in the study of genocides, the International Association of Genocide Specialists (IAGS) adopted a resolution on August 31 affirming that Israel is committing genocide in the Gaza Strip. Several international NGOs, including human rights organizations, also use this term to describe crimes committed in the enclave.

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Muhammad

Muhammad is a visionary thinker and passionate writer who has been contributing to Understanding Islam for several years.