Global Intellectuals Denounce Gaza Genocide Claims as 'Blood Libel'

Over six thousand prominent figures, including politicians, academics, historians, lawyers, writers, actors, and public figures, have signed an open letter rejecting accusations of genocide against Israel in Gaza. The signatories described the claims as a "blood libel" against the Jewish people and warned that such accusations are being used to incite antisemitism. The letter was published by the American organization Creative Community for Peace (CCFP) in collaboration with its authors: writer Yossi Klein Halevi, rabbis Yitzchak Greenberg and Yechiel Odenheimer, and Binghamton University professor of history and Judaic studies Jonathan Karp.

"We, the undersigned, are outraged and appalled by the latest blood libel leveled against the Jewish people: the lie that Israel has committed 'genocide' in Gaza. We reject this accusation with contempt," the letter states. The authors emphasize that the crucial difference between war as a tragedy and war as genocide lies in intent, asserting that "only one side intended to commit genocide, and that is Hamas."

The letter argues that to accuse Israel of genocide, the October 7th massacre is systematically downplayed, while Israel's actions are distorted and exaggerated. It highlights the "unprecedented combat conditions of the war," citing hundreds of kilometers of tunnels, thousands of booby-trapped homes, the identification of combatants with "journalists" and "human rights activists," a low civilian-to-terrorist casualty ratio for urban warfare, the absence of mass starvation despite dire predictions, and prior warnings to civilians before bombings.

"All these factors have been erased in the pursuit of accusing Israel of genocide," the authors noted. They also point out that the definition of genocide itself has been altered to apply solely to the Gaza conflict, similar to how definitions of apartheid and colonialism were previously modified to target Israel exclusively. The letter asserts that accusations against Israel have become a pretext for attacks and murders of Jews worldwide, with the ultimate goal of denying Jews self-determination and making the "only Jewish state a primary criminal and pariah."

"We call on our fellow Jews and our non-Jewish friends to treat the accusation of genocide with revulsion. 'A lie is powerless,' states an ancient Jewish proverb. We will not allow this lie," the letter concludes. Notable signatories include historians Niall Ferguson, Benny Morris, Simon Sebag-Montefiore, Deborah Lipstadt, and Dina Porat; lawyers and politicians Irwin Cotler and Boris Johnson; academics Steven Pinker and Judea Pearl; and actors Debra Messing, Mayim Bialik, and Patricia Heaton.