UN commission says Israel committing genocide in Gaza, names Netanyahu, Herzog, Gallant for incitement
The U.N. Human Rights Council’s Commission of Inquiry says Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, finding four of the five Genocide Convention acts—killing, causing serious bodily or mental harm, inflicting conditions of life to bring about destruction, and measures intended to prevent births—are occurring, asserting direct evidence of genocidal intent, and alleging Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Isaac Herzog, and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant incited genocide. Chair Navi Pillay urged states to act without waiting for the ICJ, noting the findings could inform ICC/ICJ cases even though the Council cannot sanction; Israel and critics, including Foreign Minister Gideon Saar and Sen. Ted Cruz, condemned the report as false or antisemitic, while the commission called for urgent international action and unimpeded humanitarian access.
📊 Analysis & Commentary (1)
"An op‑ed by a former Israeli defense minister rebuts a U.N. report naming Israeli leaders (including him) for alleged war crimes and genocide, arguing the U.N. is biased, that UNRWA and Hamas weaponize civilian infrastructure, and that Israel has taken unprecedented steps to minimize civilian harm yet is judged by double standards."
📰 Sources (4)
- Sen. Ted Cruz condemned the U.N. COI report as an antisemitic smear and said the Trump administration and Congress have sanctions tools that should be used against those involved.
- The article highlights a specific COI recommendation to end distribution of food aid through the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation and to ensure unimpeded humanitarian access.
- Additional on‑record reactions challenge elements of the COI report: Anne Bayefsky calls the inquiry 'phony' and pro‑genocide against Jews, and HonestReporting’s Salo Aizenberg disputes claims about 'measures intended to prevent births,' citing WHO vaccination of 603,000 Gaza children earlier in 2025 and asserting over 20,000 Gaza fatalities are combatants.
- All three Commission of Inquiry members announced in July they would resign, citing personal reasons and a need for change.
- The Trump administration pulled the United States out of the U.N. Human Rights Council earlier this year.
- Commission explicitly states four of five Genocide Convention criteria are met in Gaza, with 'forcible transfer of children' the only criterion not met.
- Added context on chair Navi Pillay’s background as former U.N. rights chief and Rwanda tribunal judge.
- The report calls on the international community to end the genocide and take steps to punish those responsible.
- Commission lists specific genocide actus reus it finds ongoing in Gaza: killing; causing serious bodily/mental harm; inflicting conditions of life to bring about destruction; imposing measures intended to prevent births.
- Commission asserts 'direct evidence of genocidal intent' by Israeli authorities and security forces.
- Report says Netanyahu, President Isaac Herzog and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant 'incited the commission of genocide' and authorities failed to punish the incitement.
- Navi Pillay says there is 'no need to wait for the International Court of Justice' and urges states to act to prevent genocide.
- Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar calls the report 'fake' and says it relies on 'Hamas falsehoods.'
- Body: UN Human Rights Council Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory and Israel
- Finding: Four of five Genocide Convention acts met (excluding forcible transfer of children)
- Quote: Navi Pillay said 'Israel is responsible for the commission of genocide in Gaza'
- Response: Israel called the report 'distorted and false' and has not cooperated with the commission
- Legal pathway: Findings could inform ICC/ICJ proceedings though the Council itself cannot sanction