US Presbyterian Church and American Academy of Religion Label Israel’s Gaza War as Genocide
The American Academy of Religion, the world’s largest organization of religion scholars with over 6,000 members, and the largest Presbyterian denomination in the United States have officially characterized Israel’s war in Gaza as "genocide." These resolutions, passed during their respective annual meetings, mark a significant escalation in academic and religious boycott efforts against Israeli policies.
At the American Academy of Religion’s annual business meeting in Atlanta, 98% of members voted in favor of a solidarity resolution with Gaza. The organization described the conflict as "Scholasticide," a term combining genocide and educational institutions, referring to an alleged deliberate effort to destroy the Palestinian education system.
Similarly, the Presbyterian Church (USA) approved a resolution in Milwaukee by a large majority (454 to 15) calling on its members to urge the US Congress to impose an official arms embargo on Israel and to boycott Israeli products supporting the conflict. This vote came two days after the church unanimously decided to divest from two major US companies, Palantir and General Electric, due to their technological and manufacturing support to the Israeli military.
The church’s Mission Responsibility Through Investment committee chair, Reverend Marcella Glass, explained that prolonged dialogue with these companies since 2024 failed to yield changes. Palantir is accused of providing data analytics and AI support to Israeli security forces post-October 7 attacks, while General Electric supplies engines and components used in military operations. Reverend Marietta Macy of the church’s Palestine Justice Network welcomed the measures as significant steps addressing genocide and severe human rights violations against Palestinians.
This is not the first time the Presbyterian Church has enacted economic sanctions against Israel; previous divestments occurred in 2014 and earlier in 2024, including condemnation of Christian Zionism. These developments coincide with ongoing US congressional discussions about reducing aid to Israel, led by Republican Thomas Massie and supported mainly by Democrats.
The resolutions rely partly on data from Gaza’s Health Ministry, reporting over 73,000 Palestinian deaths since the war began, nearly a third children. A recent UN Human Rights Council investigation accused Israeli forces of deliberately targeting children’s vital organs using snipers and drones, alleging intent to destroy the Palestinian population in Gaza. Israel’s Foreign Ministry strongly rejected the UN report as propaganda and a "modern blood libel."
Within the US Jewish and Israeli communities, these boycott decisions have raised concern. Anti-Zionist Jewish groups like Jewish Voice for Peace praised the moves as powerful messages to other academic organizations, while mainstream Jewish leadership has strongly opposed such actions. In 2014, Rabbi Rick Jacobs of the Union for Reform Judaism warned that divestment votes would cause deep divisions with the majority of American Jews. This time, Reform Jewish leaders declined to comment.
