The word “genocide” should not be used to describe what’s happening in Gaza. Israel is not systematically eliminating all Palestinians from their homeland. It would be more appropriate to hang that label on Hamas, as its Charter calls for the annihilation of Israel and the killing of all Jews therein.
So what word should be used to depict the horror unfolding in Gaza? The Israelis are calling it “collateral damage.” This word is simply jargon used to conceal the truth, and to insulate people from any feelings of repulsion or moral outrage. The extremely high kill rate in Gaza cannot be called collateral damage. To put it in perspective, the U.S. would have had to kill 3.5 million civilians during its war in Afghanistan to come close what Israel is doing in Gaza. Is it right for Israel, which can wipe every Arab country off the face of the earth, to act in the same barbaric manner as Hamas? So, if not genocide nor collateral damage, what can we call the slaughter of tens of thousands of women and children? Let’s call it what it is – mass murder!
