White House Denies Genocide in Gaza

U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan reiterated that the Biden administration does not believe genocide is occurring despite the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Hamas terrorist group resulting in Palestinian civilian casualties in Gaza.

“We do not believe what is happening in Gaza is a genocide,” Mr. Sullivan informed reporters on May 13. “We have consistently rejected that claim.”

Mr. Sullivan explained that the United States is using internationally accepted criteria for genocide, which includes a focus on intent. He directed reporters to the legal analysis the U.S. presented to the International Court of Justice for further elaboration on their position.

According to the United Nations (U.N.), genocide involves acts committed with the intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial, or religious group.

Specific acts mentioned include killing group members, causing “serious bodily or mental harm” to them, deliberately creating living conditions meant to bring about the physical destruction of a group, and implementing measures to prevent births within the group.

The UN’s definition also emphasizes the need to prove the intent to physically destroy a group, which is seen as the most challenging element to determine. The destruction of culture or an intention to disperse a group does not meet the genocide criteria. However, genocide could be declared against a portion of one of the four protected groups if that part is identifiable, substantial, and within a geographically limited area. Additionally, political groups are not covered by the convention.

On May 13, Mr. Sullivan clarified that the United States perceives this conflict as one between Israel and Hamas. Israel aims to defeat Hamas and bring its leader, Yahya Sinwar, to justice, while Hamas seeks to destroy Israel and harm as many Jews as possible.

The administration made a distinction between Hamas and Palestinian civilians, noting that the civilians have been suffering immensely since Hamas violated the previous ceasefire and initiated the conflict on Oct. 7, 2023, by attacking southern Israel, resulting in the deaths of around 1,200 individuals and the capture of over 200 hostages.

“The suffering experienced by civilians is unimaginable,” Mr. Sullivan emphasized. “Their pain and trauma are severe. No civilian should endure such hardships.”

Mr. Sullivan also acknowledged that Israel faces an “unusual—even unprecedented—burden in fighting this war,” criticizing Hamas for endangering innocent civilians by using hospitals, schools, and other civilian facilities for military purposes and constructing military tunnels beneath civilian zones.

Nevertheless, the Biden administration believes that these circumstances do not excuse Israel from its responsibility to protect innocent civilians. The administration is committed to providing humanitarian aid to Gaza while fulfilling its defensive obligations to Israel, although it is withholding specific offensive weapons such as bombs that could be used in an attack on Rafah.

Mr. Sullivan reiterated the administration’s opposition to a large-scale military incursion into Rafah.

“Military action is necessary but not sufficient for defeating Hamas completely,” he stated. “Without a political strategy for Gaza and its people, the terrorists will return, and Israel will remain under threat, as witnessed in Gaza City.”

The administration is in talks with Israel to integrate military operations with a clear strategic plan and a holistic approach to ensure the lasting defeat of Hamas and a better future for the Palestinian population.

Simultaneously, Mr. Sullivan mentioned that efforts are ongoing to secure the release of remaining hostages, highlighting that a ceasefire could be achieved promptly if Hamas releases women, wounded, and elderly hostages.

“The global call for a ceasefire should be directed to Hamas,” he added. “They should come to the negotiating table to reach an agreement.”

“I cannot predict when it will happen, but we are committed to diplomatic efforts to achieve this outcome for the American hostages, all hostages, and to establish lasting peace in Gaza,” Mr. Sullivan concluded.