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A top US Senator has publicly accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza.

Getting into it: In an op-ed, Senator Bernie Sanders officially accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza, stating that the “intent is clear” and “the conclusion is inescapable.” Breaking from his previous hesitation to use the term, Sanders grounded his claim in the legal framework of the United Nations Genocide Convention, which defines genocide as acts committed with the intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group. He pointed to a recent report from a United Nations Commission of Inquiry that determined Israel is carrying out four of the five genocidal acts listed under international law.

Sanders noted that over 65,000 Palestinians have been killed, 164,000 have been wounded, and there is mass starvation along with widespread destruction of Gaza’s infrastructure, with leaked Israeli military data reportedly confirming that 83% of the casualties are civilians, including more than 18,000 children. It should be noted that Israeli authorities argue that they are targeting Hamas operatives and infrastructure (not civilians) and that any civilian casualties are the result of Hamas embedding itself within populated areas. They also dispute the Palestinian death tolls, claiming the numbers are inflated or manipulated by Hamas-controlled sources and fail to distinguish between civilians and combatants.

Sanders also cited statements from Israeli officials as evidence of genocidal intent. He referenced Defense Minister Yoav Gallant calling Palestinians “human animals,” and other high-level figures advocating for Gaza’s complete destruction. He also noted that Israeli President Isaac Herzog and multiple cabinet members have collectively framed all residents of Gaza as legitimate targets. “These are not offhand comments,” Sanders wrote. “They reflect a consistent policy of dehumanization and extermination.”

Criticism of the US: Senator Sanders accused the US of enabling the atrocities through continued military aid to what he called “Netanyahu’s genocidal government.” He argued that the US is complicit in the “slaughter of the Palestinian people,” and warned that failure to act would embolden other global leaders to commit similar crimes. “If there is no accountability for Netanyahu and his fellow war criminals,” Sanders warned, “other demagogues will do the same.”

He urged Congress to halt weapons transfers, push for an immediate ceasefire, facilitate a surge in humanitarian aid, and support the establishment of a Palestinian state.

Israeli officials have vehemently denied allegations of genocide, rejecting the UN report as biased and anti-Semitic. They maintain that their military operations are a legitimate response to Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack, in which they say over 1,200 people were killed and hundreds of hostages were taken.