5,000 Global Figures Defend Israel Against Genocide Accusations

An open letter published on September 9, 2026, by the initiative Stop the Libel of Genocide, has garnered over 5,000 signatures from prominent international figures. The initiative, reported by Creative Community for Peace, includes signatories such as former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, former Canadian Minister of Justice Irwin Cotler, Harvard Professor Steven Pinker, historians Benny Morris, Sir Niall Ferguson, and Simon Sebag Montefiore, along with numerous actors and cultural figures.

The letter "scornfully rejects" accusations that Israel has committed genocide in Gaza. It argues that the complex realities of the war, including extensive tunnel networks and booby-trapped homes, have been ignored in the effort to condemn the Jewish state. The signatories emphasize that the crucial difference between war and genocide lies in intent, stating, "In this war, only one side intended to commit genocide, and that is Hamas."

Furthermore, the letter points out that genocide accusations began as early as October 8, preceding Israel's significant response to the Hamas terror attack. The authors assert that the aim of Israel's actions was to break through terrorist enclaves and re-establish deterrence. They contend that the genocide charge has become a pretext for global anti-Jewish attacks and a means to deny Israel's right to exist, urging the public to reject these claims.

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