Recognising a genocide

The much-trumpeted, and as many argue, much delayed stance of many European and other reasonably powerful states—dismayed by Israel and its arch-ally, the United States—was that they would recognise the Palestinian state close to and during the United Nations General Assembly’s (UNGA) 80th session. This recognition meant formal diplomatic recognition of Palestine as a sovereign state.

Prior to this, Palestine held a non-member observer status in the UN, allowing participation in debates and meetings but not granting voting rights in the General Assembly. For the first time, so many countries—especially Western democracies—have tendered recognition to Palestine. According to Al Jazeera, as of September 23, 157 out of 193 UN member states now recognise the state of Palestine.

Notable among the states that have accorded recent recognition to Palestine are the United Kingdom, Australia, France, Canada, Portugal, and Belgium.

### Does Recognition Make a Difference?

The question remains: does this recognition make any difference to the ongoing genocide in Gaza; the gross human rights violations; and the indiscriminate destruction of physical infrastructure in Gaza City?

It may have been a diplomatic low for Benjamin Netanyahu to address a near-empty hall in the UNGA as a large number of delegates left to boycott his address. However, on the ground, Israel can only be deterred if pressured by the United States. President Trump appears, however, to still be extending all-out support to the Netanyahu regime.

### Trump’s Gaza Plan

In his most recent bid to substantiate his claim as a champion of peace and rightful claimant to the Nobel Peace Prize, Trump proposed a Gaza Plan, promising ceasefire, security, governance, reconstruction, humanitarian aid, and a future political horizon.

In a threatening tone, Trump declared that Hamas has three to four days to respond to his ceasefire proposal, which was said to have been accepted by Israel. Under the proposal, Hamas would be required to disarm, and the US would work with Arab leaders and international partners to install a temporary international stabilisation force and establish a Board of Peace.

The plan requires that Hamas have no role in governing Gaza. Its members could be granted safe passage if they chose exile. The Trump proposal envisions a transition government of Palestinian technocrats to deliver services in Gaza, self-governance, the return of displaced residents, and assurance that the people of Gaza will not be forcibly displaced.

### The Human Cost in Gaza

Gaza has witnessed an immensely destructive two-year bombing campaign by Israel, with a staggering death toll of around 65,000 Palestinians. The coastal enclave has been left in ruins. The UN has declared it a genocide.

The Trump administration has inserted some vague clauses in the proposal, apparently to make it acceptable to extremely hostile adversaries. In the current context, the chances of the plan resulting in peace appear remote.

### UN Commission Findings on Genocide

The UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry, in its report of September 16, concluded that Israel has committed genocide in Gaza. The finding is based on four of the five acts identified under the 1948 Genocide Convention:

a) Killing large numbers of a group
b) Causing serious bodily or mental harm
c) Deliberately inflicting conditions of life calculated to bring about the group’s physical destruction, in whole or in part
d) Imposing measures intended to prevent births in the group

The commission also concluded that there was evidence of genocidal intent, including statements by high-ranking officials, orders given, patterns of conduct, and circumstantial evidence.

Earlier, in a report released on November 14, 2024, the UN Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices stated that Israel’s warfare in Gaza is consistent with the characteristics of genocide. Significantly, the UN body found both *actus reus* (the acts themselves) and *mens rea* (the intent) of Israel’s conduct, as well as statements and orders of officials, evidencing perpetration of genocide.

### Western Democracies’ Responses

Western democracies fall within a broad spectrum regarding their position on Israel’s genocide in Gaza. Reactions range from full support, through cautious agreement with parts of the reports, to complete rejection.

For instance, the UK government has expressed serious concerns about human rights violations in Gaza and called for a ceasefire and aid access, yet it has not accepted the genocide finding. The UK—like some other states such as Germany, Canada, Australia, and Portugal—argues that, as far as genocide is concerned, the evidence or intent is not clearly established.

Some European Union member states—Belgium, Ireland, Luxembourg, and Spain—have been highly critical of Israel’s actions and vocal about international legal accountability. However, they have been reluctant to use the term “genocide” due to diplomatic, legal, or political concerns or the risk of undermining negotiations and inflaming tensions.

On the surface, these states appear to be balancing international law, political pressures, and their traditional alignment with Israel. However, the threshold of the term’s acceptance by the public as a crime committed by Israel is shifting due to increasing voices, including academics, activists, and politicians, challenging traditional Western narratives.

### Shifting Perspectives and Growing Recognition

The ongoing situation in Gaza is increasingly being described as a genocide, and Israel’s acts as genocidal acts. Recent recognitions of Palestine by the UK, Canada, Australia, Portugal, and others suggest a growing willingness to assert Palestinian rights and shift policy postures.

This shift has been driven largely by increasing public protests and civil society pressure within Western democracies, influencing discourse and pushing governments to be more critical of Israel’s actions. Interestingly, people in Western democracies—including the US—have proven themselves to be more vocal about human rights concerns than many in Middle Eastern countries.

The tide is finally turning.
https://www.thenews.com.pk/tns/detail/1348315-recognising-a-genocide

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