Yes, I condemn Hamas. Do you condemn genocide?

Introduction

I recognize the sensitivity of the subject I'm about to delve into, a topic that often stirs deep emotions and controversy. As a writer and a human deeply affected by the unfolding events, I feel compelled to break my silence. As an individual who has always stood against violence and oppression, the current situation strikes a chord deep within me. My stance is rooted in a personal journey of understanding and empathy; as the daughter of a refugee, as the wife of a humanitarian doctor, as an artist, and, above all, fundamentally as a human being.

My condemnation of Hamas is unequivocal, as is my stance against any form of violence or oppression. This includes the grave situation in Gaza, a humanitarian crisis that demands urgent attention and action from the international community for the sake of humanity.

The language surrounding this conflict, often masked in euphemisms like 'collateral damage,' fails to capture the human cost. These are not mere statistics; they are lives irreversibly affected.

As we stand at the crossroads of history and humanity, I urge you to reflect on the weight of these events. It is in our collective consciousness to discern right from wrong, and in our collective voice to advocate for peace and justice.

South Africa’s ‘Genocide Case’ Against Israel

On December 29, 2023, South Africa did what every nation should've done when faced with the most horrendous and brutal military assault witnessed by our generation. South Africa filed a lawsuit in The International Court of Justice (ICJ) accusing Israel of genocide in its war on Gaza and seeking to halt Israel's military actions against the Palestinian people. Having experienced what an apartheid state looks like for over 40 years, South Africa had no trouble identifying the oppressor and assailant of a people.

To clarify, the 84-page filing by South Africa says Israel violated the 1948 Genocide Convention, drawn up in the aftermath of World War II and the Holocaust.

If, like me, you have repeatedly advocated against fascism, racism, and anti-semitism, and condemned time and again the horrors imposed by the nazi regime during WWII, then you have probably been sick to your stomach with the cruel mind-numbing irony of this situation.

Never before have I felt such profound disappointment in humanity.

That being said, I am no humanitarian, no historian, no journalist, no politician, and no lawyer to bring forth the expertise one supposedly requires to analyse the situation intricately and objectively. What I am is a copywriter, a creative, an advertiser, and what I can do is break down the language for you. Why? Because this... thing is accompanied by a massive PR, Social Media and Marketing Campaign funded and weaved together by Israel, the UK, and the USA. As such, words matter more than you know.

I invite you - nay, I urge you - to read the full Application submitted to the ICG by South Africa. You can find it here.

The language used is direct and breaks down factually how Israel breaks a convention established with the hopes of avoiding the suffering and atrocities that the Jewish people endured during WWII (Ironically - again - the very event that incited the formation of the Israeli state as a haven for the Jewish people where they would be safe and free from persecution).

Put simply, the Genocide Convention requires states that signed it (yes, that includes Israel) not to commit genocide as well as prevent and punish it. The treaty defines genocide as “acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group”.

Words Matter

Now, if you've read this far, let me take you back to words.

Language is not just a tool for communication; it's a framework for understanding. The words chosen in discussing conflicts like this one are not merely descriptive; they shape our perception of reality.

Let's take for instance the Press Release announcing the proceedings instituted by South Africa against the State of Israel.

Consider this point: "Israel, since 7 October 2023 in particular, has failed to prevent genocide and has failed to prosecute the direct and public incitement to genocide."

In this context, the word 'fail' suggests an unsuccessful effort. To fail, one has to attempt.

Shouldn't it clearly suggest a lack of intention? Shouldn't it consider that evidence currently points to incitement and encouragement of these actions?

The choice of this word is crucial, as it frames the narrative of responsibility – or the lack thereof.

The language chosen by major media outlets often erases the voices of humanitarian organizations, activists, journalists and civilians caught in the crossfire.

I will close with some more words that have been making me sick to my very soul:

• "War against Hamas", "The health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza" etc: This language implies that the violence is only targeted toward a Terrorist organisation, and all information gathered is unreliable as it comes from said organisation. This completely erases statements by independent humanitarian organisations that have suffered casualties while trying to provide help to the very people that Israel claims not to be targeting (There's a lot to unpack here so I'll give you a moment).
• "Defending itself": A term frequently used to describe Israel's military actions. While defense is a legitimate right of any state, we must question the proportionality and targets of such defense.Have you heard of the Iron Dome? Google it. It's a work of art. Now this is defending yourself. A sniper shooting at civilians (including children) outside an MSF (Doctors Without Borders) hospital 80+ days after a terrorist attack, is called an offense. Clear? The language used here is critical; it influences our interpretation of actions and their moral and legal justifications.
• "Little Time Bombs" refers to Palestinian babies. You know, like the premature ones intentionally left to starve and rot in a hospital's NICU in Gaza. I cannot possibly think of a context in which these statements made by Israeli officials are acceptable. These are not abstract concepts; these are innocent human lives.
• The Passive Voice: A tweet from The New York Times said, “A week of fighting between Israel and Hamas has left more than 200 people dead.” The choice of words shrouds the facts: 232 Palestinians had been killed by Israelis, and 12 Israelis had been killed by Palestinians. It distances the reader from the harsh reality of war and reduces the loss of human lives to a mere side effect, an unavoidable consequence of warfare. But is it truly unavoidable? When we talk about the dead and wounded, we must remember that these are not just numbers or faceless entities; they are individuals, each loss a tragedy.
• "Collateral Damage" needs to be banned altogether because there is nothing more dehumanising than talking about dead civilians as if they're buildings.

And there are so so so many more.

The power of words in conflict is immense. They can justify, condemn, obscure, or illuminate. As we digest information about these events, let's be critical of the language used, understanding its power to influence our perceptions and beliefs.

So let me ask you, do you condemn the suffering of the Jewish people during WWII? Because I do.

I do for the same reason that I condemn Hamas; because I condemn violence, and I condemn Hamas for the same reason I condemn the State of Israel. Because it's criminal.

Happy New Year.

PS: In the Photo is Polish lawyer of Jewish descent, Dr. Raphael Lemkin, who is known for coining the word "Genocide" and campaigning to establish the Genocide Convention.

The Convention on Genocide was drafted by the United Nations to prevent and punish the crime of genocide - the mass destruction of national, ethnical racial or religous groups as such. It will come into force 90 days after 20 countries have ratified or acceded to it. [1948]

PPS: Israel has now killed more than 21,110 named Palestinians, including over 7,729 children — with over 7,780 others missing, presumed dead under the rubble — and has injured over 55,243 other Palestinians, causing them severe bodily and mental harm.