The genocide label
Is it genocide? What international law actually says
Politicians and media figures insist the term “genocide” is inflammatory or inaccurate. But leading genocide experts, UN officials, and human-rights investigators have clearly determined that Israel’s actions meet key criteria for genocide: mass civilian killing, deliberate starvation, forced displacement, and explicit statements of intent by Israeli leaders
Scroll down to see some recent articles, posts and media releases that cover the genocide label.
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Petition: say no to Herzog visiting Australia
NOTE: This petition is now closed, to keep up to date with future petitions, sign up to our newsletter. Prime Minister Albanese will be rolling out the red carpet for a visit from Israeli President Isaac Herzog next week to “provide support for Jewish Australians”. As Jewish Australians, it is important for us to send a…
Online event: Organising in the Jewish diaspora during a time of genocide
We invite you to join us at 10 am (AEDT) on December 7 for a critical conversation – Organising in the Jewish Diaspora in a Time of Genocide: Lessons from Australia, the UK, and the US. Hear from key organisers from the global Jewish movement fighting Israel’s genocidal efforts in Palestine to share strategies, discuss…
Sarah Schwartz op ed in The Guardian: “When you first heard me speak against this genocide, you heard my words as betrayal. But they were meant as love”
Executive Officer Sarah Schwartz recently had an op ed published in The Guardian titled “When you first heard me speak against this genocide, you heard my words as betrayal. But they were meant as love”. An excerpt from the beginning of the piece is below: To those I have lost – the teachers, mentors, loved…
Two years on: as long as Israel’s genocide continues, our responsibility remains
October 7, 2025 This week marks two years since Israel began its genocide against Palestinians in Gaza and two years since the Hamas-led attacks that killed over 1,000 people in Israel and saw hundreds taken hostage. As talks over a new “peace plan” begin, this anniversary is a reminder that peace and safety will never…
Recognition of Palestine not enough, Sanctions Must Follow to Stop Genocide
Media Release For immediate release: 22 September 2025 Recognition of Palestine not enough, Sanctions Must Follow to Stop Genocide SYDNEY – The Jewish Council of Australia affirms the Palestinian people’s fundamental right to self-determination—a right that has been systematically denied by the Israeli state. Australia’s decision to recognise the State of Palestine is a response…
Jewish Council launches ad campaign Demanding Government Sanction Israel for Genocide, Condemns Australian Complicity
September 18 2025 The Jewish Council of Australia has today launched a national campaign with adverts in the Daily Telegraph and Herald Sun featuring the faces of hundreds of Australian Jews, calling on the Australian government to take drastic action to halt Israel’s genocidal war on the Palestinian people. As part of this campaign, the…
Petition: Sanction Israel for Genocide in Gaza
To: The Prime Minister of Australia, Anthony Albanese, and the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Penny Wong. We, the undersigned, call on the Australian Government to take immediate and decisive action in response to Israel’s genocidal war on the Palestinian people in Gaza and its deliberate use of starvation as a weapon of war. The world’s…
Media Release: Recognition of the State of Palestine must be combined with principled action to stop Israel’s intensifying genocide in Gaza
The Jewish Council of Australia affirms the Palestinian people’s fundamental right to self-determination—a right that has been systematically denied by the Israeli state. Australia’s decision to recognise the State of Palestine is a response to the growing groundswell of public support for Palestinian rights across this country. The Australian government must ensure that ‘recognition’ is…
The Australian government must show moral leadership and urgently support Palestinians fleeing Israel’s genocide
With full blessings and support from the United States, and lack of concrete action from its allies like Australia, Israel is escalating its genocidal war in Gaza at an unprecedented scale. Overnight, Israeli airstrikes in Gaza killed 32 men, women, and children. This follows news last week that Israeli forces executed 15 aid and emergency workers in Gaza, killing…
Jewish Council condemns Peter Dutton and Dave Sharma for stoking racism in comments on Palestinians fleeing genocide
[Image credit] Today, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton told Sky News that no Palestinians from Gaza should be entering Australia and that a visa scheme for Palestinians fleeing Gaza would put Australia’s national security at risk. These comments were made days after Liberal Party Senator Dave Sharma criticised the government, suggesting that Palestinians entering Australia “might…
SBS News quotes Jewish Council on senator Payman accusing Israel of genocide
Max Kaiser recently spoke with SBS News in response to senator Fatima Payman accusing Israel of genocide. An excerpt from his comments as quoted in the article: “It should not be controversial to use this terminology as it is in line with the finding of the International Court of Justice that Israel’s action’s constitute a…
As Rafah assault continues, Australia must vote yes to Palestine at UN and do more to prevent genocide
The Jewish Council of Australia is horrified by what we are witnessing Israel do in Rafah. Israel’s ongoing violence in Gaza and the West Bank is the greatest impediment to peace for Palestinians and Israelis. We call on the Australian Government to demonstrate its commitment to the human rights of Palestinians by voting yes for…
