Kathmandu— Since World War II, the denial of genocide has been widely condemned, initially appearing on the far-right fringe with claims that the Holocaust never occurred. However, a new wave of denial is taking shape, characterized by those who present themselves as tolerant and open-minded but dismiss the severity of Israel’s actions against Gaza, not by claiming it isn't happening, but by redefining its nature as merely 'war'. This trend has manifested in public statements from figures like former pop star Boy George, whose song lyrics downplayed the situation, and online commentary from self-proclaimed experts who disregard established legal definitions and expert analysis.

Shifting Tactics of Denial

The author contrasts historical genocide denial with this new form, noting that previous deniers outright rejected the reality of events. The current trend, however, involves acknowledging the violence but denying its classification as genocide—a move described as denying the ‘meaning of reality’. This is exemplified by Boy George’s lyrics, which equate accusations of genocide with simply being “attacked,” and blogger Nate Smith's assertion that “Israel hasn’t yet committed genocide.”

Dismissal of Expertise and Evidence

A key characteristic of these new deniers is a disregard for established knowledge, research, and legal definitions. The author points to Nate Smith, a former economics professor, whose simple declaration on social media that Israel hadn't committed genocide was seen as dismissive. This contrasts with the informed perspective of political scientist Shadi Hamid, who clarified the legal definition of genocide—that it doesn’t require the intent to kill *every* member of a group—and noted the flawed logic of some pro-Israel arguments. Smith’s response, framing a potential future act of genocide and criticizing the “Palestine movement,” was labeled as ‘concern trolling.’

Cognitive Dissonance Among Some Jewish Individuals

The article acknowledges that for some American Jews, particularly those raised with a positive view of Israel, accusations of genocide can be deeply painful and create cognitive dissonance. However, it distinguishes this reaction from the motivations of the ‘new genocide deniers,’ many of whom are not Jewish and appear driven by other factors such as defending pro-Israel positions or political establishments.

Growing Chorus of Experts Affirming Genocide

Despite the denial, a growing number of organizations and scholars have affirmed that Israel’s actions in Gaza constitute genocide. The author provides a partial list including the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry, the International Association of Genocide Scholars, Physicians for Human Rights Israel, and numerous other international bodies and experts. Additionally, charges of genocide are currently under review by both the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

The author concludes that denying a crime is akin to participating in its evil, emphasizing the gravity of dismissing accusations of genocide regardless of motivation.

(With inputs from CounterPunch)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.