The Union of Jewish Progressives of Belgium (UPJB) denounced in a statement on Monday the massacres committed by Israel in Gaza, describing them for the first time as “genocide”. She thus joins Amnesty International and the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), which a year ago asked the international community “to stop the ongoing genocide”.
“For many of our members, this term was obvious, but for others, it was not self-evident”explains the UPJB. “For someone who comes from a Jewish family decimated by another genocide committed 80 years ago, the use of this term has a particular resonance.”
The UPJB, however, considers that it “we must agree: the accusation of genocide is well-founded.” In a decision of January 26, 2024, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) considered that Israeli operations in Gaza constituted a “plausible risk of genocide”. For an international court to decree that this is a completed genocide, “it takes several years”, recalls the UPJB.
In a report published in early December, Amnesty International “don't be satisfied” to detail the material acts committed (murders of civilians, destruction, etc.). LONG “also establishes genocidal intent, on the basis of a detailed analysis of a set of verified statements and facts”continues the Jewish organization.
Deploring the massacre of tens of thousands of people, “the vast majority of them are non-combatants”, the organization points “the systematic destruction of everything that allows a people to live”. The UPJB calls on the EU to implement effective sanctions and pressure tactics against Israel.
According to Palestinian sources, more than 45,200 people were killed in Gaza following the October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas in Israel, during which 1,200 people were killed and more than 250 kidnapped.
Jews Israel genocide genocide in Gaza Union of Progressive Jews of Belgium UJPB
