47 Fall 2024 in 2024, the Brazilian president stated that “12.3 million children died in the Gaza Strip and in Israel because of the war.”4 In fact, the entire population of Gaza, including adults and children, is estimated to be only 2.2 million people. Boric and Lula are part of a group of populist leaders, which also includes Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro and Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro, who compete for the distinction of being in the first line of Israel's hyper-critics. Petro has called Israel’s government “genocidal” and charged its Minister of Defense, Yoav Gallant, with using language akin to what the Nazis said of Jews.5 Colombia formally broke relations with Israel in May 2024. Before moving on to Europe and the United States, we pause to invoke those elements of the IHRA (international Holocaust Remembrance Alliance)6 working definition of antisemitism, as they relate to what Boric, Lula, Petro, and so many others are saying about Israel. According to the IHRA definition, the language used by these and other international diplomatic and political leaders clearly crosses the line: n “Denying the Jewish people their right to self- determination, e.g. by claiming that the existence of a State of Israel is a racist endeavor.” n “Applying double standards by requiring of it a behavior not expected or demanded of any other democratic nation.” n “Using the symbols and images associated with classic antisemitism (e.g., claims of Jews killing Jesus or blood libel) to characterize Israel or Israelis.” n “Drawing comparisons of contemporary Israeli policy to that of the Nazis.” The IHRA working definition is not a product of international Jewish organizations that is solely used within the Jewish community or academic circles. It is an internationally accepted definition that has been adopted by 43 countries, including Colombia. The definition’s attention to Israel, including comments on its practices and policies, is indeed logical since so much of contemporary antisemitism is veiled as criticism of Israel’s government. Fortunately, there is a definition with which to work. Unfortunately, too many critics of Israel have more nefarious motives; they intentionally engage in 21st century blood libel under the guise of “legitimate criticism.” What Would Lemkin Say? Even without the IHRA document, there are accepted definitions of genocide that directly undermine the charges against Israel. According to international law, genocide occurs when a state commits “one or more acts with the intention to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, or religious group.” Human rights champion Raphael Lemkin, who coined the term “genocide” in 1944, would likely ask a simple question after October 7: is there an Israeli “intent” or a conspiracy to destroy the Palestinian people as a nation? The answer should be apparent to everyone: the fact that the Palestinian population of Gaza still exists represents a definitive “no.” Israel’s disproportionate military strength, combined with its near-complete control over movement within the Strip and its extensive efforts to move the population out of harm’s way, reflect Israel’s lack of intent in destroying the Palestinian people as a nation. The IDF’s only “intent” during the war has been to defeat Hamas, which is a political and military enemy. More to the point, why are Boric, Lula, Petro, and a legion of others so eager to castigate the victims? Hamas’s genocidal intentions were clearly on display for all to see on October 7. The fact that government leaders have successfully turned the perpetrators of genocide into victims of genocide speaks to the mob psychology that has gripped world leaders as they march in lockstep to promote the lie of genocide. Europe Given modern European history, Europeans should know better than to believe such lies. Some of the worst crimes against the Jewish people occurred on their soil; the thousands of survivors who reside in Europe are living testimony to Nazi barbarity and to the genocide that was 4. “Brazil’s Lula: 12.3 million children died in Gaza during war,” JNS, April 4, 2024, available at https://www.jns. org/brazils-lula-12-3-million-children-died-in-gazaduring-war/; see also Leandro Fleischer, “Lula da Silva's anti-Israeli agenda deepens,” VOZ, July 19, 2024, available at https://voz.us/en/world/240719/14730/lulada-silva-s-anti-israel-agenda-deepens.html 5. “Colombia to cut diplomatic ties with Israel over Gaza war, Petro says,” AL JAZEERA, May 1, 2024, available at https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/5/1/colombiato-cut-diplomatic-ties-with-israel-over-gaza-war-petrosays 6. “Working definition of antisemitism,” INTERNATIONAL HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE ALLIANCE (IHRA), available at https://holocaustremembrance.com/resources/workingdefinition-antisemitism
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