(Nov. 4, 2025 / JNS) There is no genocide in Gaza. What followed the Hamas-led terrorist attacks in southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, was a military response by Israel aimed at dismantling the group responsible. It was the logical result of attacking a sovereign state and using civilians as human shields.

The accusation that Israel is committing genocide in the Palestinian enclave has become a popular slogan among Israel’s critics and far too many hostile governments ever since that Black Shabbat. It’s repeated in protests, in the media and even in international courtrooms. But slogans are not evidence, and repeating a falsehood again and again doesn’t make it true.

Genocide has a specific legal definition. According to the 1948 Genocide Convention, it refers to acts committed with the intent to destroy a national, ethnic, racial or religious group in whole or in part. Not simply killing. Not even killing large numbers of civilians. Intent is essential, and there is no credible evidence that Israel intends to eliminate the Palestinian people.