A Boston-based Jewish organization said Thursday it is “deeply concerned” by Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s assertion that there is “ample evidence” that Israel is committing “genocide” in Gaza. Ta.
The American Jewish Committee sent a letter to Warren, arguing that Israel could be found guilty of war crimes before the United Nations’ highest court and accusing Democrats of “hiding radical voices.” .
“[W]This letter concerns your recent comments regarding Israel’s defensive war in Gaza, aimed at rescuing a number of hostages currently held by Hamas, the terrorist organization that carried out the deadliest attack on Jews since the Holocaust. , we express our deep disappointment and concern, and ask you to offer our support moving forward,” Rob Reikind, New England director of the American Jewish Committee, said in the letter.
Warren said last week that she believed the International Court of Justice would find the Jewish state committed genocide in Gaza, after South Africa filed a war crimes lawsuit in The Hague.
“If they wanted to do it as an application of the law, they would find it was genocide, and they would have sufficient evidence to do so,” Warren said at an event at the Islamic Center of Boston. I believe there is,” he said.
A spokeswoman for Warren said the statement did not reflect “her views on whether genocide is occurring in Gaza.”
“Nonetheless, we believe your statements are inaccurate, harmful and do not reflect what is happening in Gaza or the expected outcome of South Africa’s claims against Israel at the ICJ. ” claimed Mr. Reikind.
The head of the American Jewish Committee noted that Secretary of State Antony Blinken called the genocide claims “worthless.”
Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin also told senators there is “no evidence” that Israel is committing genocide in the Palestinian territories.
“While we are sure that was not your intention, your statement is a voice of extremists who have viciously accused Israel of genocide long before a single Israeli soldier entered Gaza.” ” the letter continues.
“It’s also true that Jews know what genocide is. The Nazis’ systematic extermination of Jews led Polish Jewish lawyer Rafael Lemkin to coin the term in 1944. It’s one of those things that happens, so it’s especially hurtful when the term is used in a way that certainly encourages, outrages, but hardly applies to the reality being described.”
Laikind deplored the loss of life and the suffering of innocent civilians during Israel’s invasion and bombing of the Gaza Strip, but noted that “this suffering is not the horrific result of a just war, but rather an intentional act.” It is a mistake to think that it has been done.”
“In the absence of reliable information about the full circumstances under which a particular attack or suffering occurred, it is a mistake to assume that Israel’s actions were carried out with malicious intent, let alone genocide,” he argued. “Doing so would only exacerbate an already volatile situation and do nothing to alleviate the suffering in Gaza today.”
Warren’s office did not respond to The Post’s request for comment.
“Your voice is powerful not only in Massachusetts but around the world. I know you are trying to apply it in a constructive way, but for the reasons you have presented, what you have expressed is Please believe that this is inaccurate and served to exacerbate a tragic situation,” the letter concludes.
Warren, Senate Armed Services Committee Hearing This week he argued that the US should “cut off” aid to Israel if it does not do more to prevent civilian casualties in the Gaza Strip.
“U.S. policy clearly states that we expect our allies to meet the same standards as we do to prevent and reduce harm to civilians,” she said. “Israel is failing to do that with its bombing campaign.”
The Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry claims more than 33,000 Palestinians have been killed since the war began.
The ministry does not distinguish between terrorist deaths and civilian deaths.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced a deal with Hamas until the terrorist organization is eliminated and more than 100 hostages captured in Gaza after the deadly attack on the Jewish state on October 7, 2023, are released. He vowed to continue the fight.
