World
More than 75 American military commanders and lawyers reject accusations of genocide against Israel in Gaza
In an open letter published on the third anniversary of the massacre on October 7, more than 75 retired American military commanders and lawyers determined that civilian casualties in warfare do not prove intent to commit genocide. According to the letter, the IDF provided advance warnings, ordered evacuations, created safe corridors and canceled strikes when civilians were identified. According to them, distorting laws of war to make false accusations against Israel sets a dangerous precedent that will directly harm American soldiers.
· Source: N12. Photo as published in the article
More than 75 retired American military commanders and lawyers determined in an open letter, published on the third anniversary of the massacre on October 7, that civilian casualties in warfare do not prove intent to commit genocide, and warned of a dangerous precedent that will also harm the U.S. military.
The letter, published Wednesday on the third anniversary of Hamas's terror attack on October 7, 2023, was organized by the Jewish Institute for National Security of America (JINSA). According to the letter, civilian casualties during warfare, however severe and tragic, are insufficient in themselves to establish a legal determination of intent to commit genocide.
Among the signatories are Gen. Philip Breedlove, who previously commanded NATO forces in Europe; Gen. James Amos, who commanded the Marine Corps; Gen. Kevin Chilton, former commander of U.S. Strategic Command; and Adm. John Miller, who previously commanded the 5th Fleet in the Middle East. Also signing are Adm. Mark Fox, former vice commander of Central Command (CENTCOM); John Spencer, director of the Urban Warfare Institute at West Point Military Academy; and Col. Mark Warren, former special counsel for military law at the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General's office.
The signatories cite the 1948 Genocide Convention and emphasize that the definition of the crime requires proof of specific intent to destroy a national, ethnic, racial or religious group. According to the letter, the IDF provided advance warnings before strikes, ordered evacuations from combat areas, created safe corridors, maintained tactical pauses for humanitarian aid and canceled strikes in real time when civilians were identified in the target area. It is also written that data that Hamas itself generates does not distinguish at all between civilians and fighters and terrorists.
The letter is being published amid proceedings at the International Court of Justice in The Hague following a suit by South Africa, which was also joined by Ireland, and the court has not yet ruled on the allegations. According to the signatories, distorting laws of war to make false accusations against Israel sets a dangerous precedent that will directly harm American soldiers, as the precedent set now regarding Israel will shape the conditions under which American forces will fight tomorrow.
Source: N12
