South Africa has taken Israel to the International Court of Justice, accusing it of committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, and 12 other countries have backed the case. The term “genocide” has been increasingly used to describe Israel’s actions in Gaza, with the killing of nearly 40,000 people. Other terms used to describe what is happening include urbicide (killing a city), domicide (killing homes), politicide (killing representation), ecocide (killing the environment), educide and scholasticide (killing knowledge), and culturcide (killing a sense of self).
The deliberate destruction of Gaza’s cities, homes, education system, and cultural sites has had devastating consequences. Israel’s actions have resulted in the displacement of populations, the destruction of vital infrastructure, contamination of the environment, and the loss of centuries-old cultural heritage. The long-term impact of Israel’s actions in Gaza is far-reaching and has led to calls for them to be considered ecocide.
The UN has warned of the systematic destruction of Gaza’s education system, with over 90 percent of schools damaged or destroyed and all higher education institutions wiped out. The loss of knowledge, culture, and sense of self in Gaza is a direct result of Israel’s military actions. The international community, led by South Africa, is calling for accountability and justice for the atrocities committed in Gaza.
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