The following op-ed was published in the Jewish Weekly.
The term “genocide” is one of the most serious accusations that can be made against any nation, evoking memories of horrific events such as the Holocaust, Rwanda, and Srebrenica – where entire populations were systematically annihilated – and in the case of the Holocaust, at industrial scale. Yet, in today’s increasingly distorted political discourse, this term is being recklessly and unjustly weaponised against Israel. This irresponsible misuse not only distorts reality but also trivialises the genuine suffering of those who have experienced true genocides.
The recent suspension of SNP MSP John Mason for stating the simple truth—that there is no genocide occurring in Gaza—highlights the alarming degradation of political discourse in the UK. Mason’s so-called “crime” was merely rejecting the false narrative that Israel is engaged in genocide, a claim that is not only factually incorrect but also morally indefensible. In response to this gross injustice, NJA Chairman Gary Mond defended Mason’s comments during a recent Talk Radio interview, hailing him as “a hero” for speaking the truth and condemning the SNP for its unjust censure.
Let us be absolutely clear: Israel is not committing genocide. Genocide, as defined by the United Nations, involves acts committed with the intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group. Israel’s actions in Gaza do not meet this definition.
What Israel is doing in Gaza is very specific: it is targeting and eliminating members of Hamas, a designated terrorist organisation, responsible for heinous acts of violence against Israeli civilians. Hamas has openly declared its intent to destroy Israel and kill Jews worldwide. Israel’s military operations are aimed at neutralising this threat, not at eradicating the Palestinian people.
From a legal standpoint, Israel’s actions do not constitute genocide. Indeed, in April this year Joan Donoghue, the former president of the International Court of Justice, clarified in a BBC interview that the ICJ had not ruled that Israel was committing genocide. It begs repeating that the IDF targeting combatants who pose an immediate threat to national security is a legitimate act of self-defence, not an act of genocide.
The use of the genocide canard against Israel reveals a staggering level of wilful blindness. While some in the UK are quick to accuse Israel of genocide, they turn a blind eye to actual genocides and ethnic cleansings perpetuated elsewhere. In nations such as Syria, Myanmar, and Sudan, entire populations have been systematically slaughtered, yet these atrocities receive a minute fraction of the attention that Israel does. This selective outrage is not only hypocritical but also dangerous, as it distracts from real humanitarian crises that demand international action.
Another real tragedy at play is the one here in the UK, where the truth is increasingly being sacrificed on the altar of political expediency. The pro-Palestine movement, intertwined with radical Islamist and far-left agendas, has weaponised the term “genocide” to vilify Israel and silence any dissent. This is not about human rights; it is about delegitimising Israel’s right to defend itself and, by extension, its right to exist.
This erosion of discourse has serious consequences. When political and media elites, along with so-called human rights organisations, focus their criticism on Israel for defending itself, they send a clear message: the truth does not matter, and those who speak it will be punished. This chilling effect stifles free speech, distorts public understanding, and emboldens those who seek to destroy Israel.
The National Jewish Assembly will continue to defend Israel against these baseless accusations and will stand with those who dare to speak the truth. We denounce the SNP’s censure of John Mason and call on all political leaders to reject the false narrative of genocide against Israel. The stakes are too high for silence, and the cost of inaction is too great. It is time to restore honesty and integrity to political discourse and to focus on the real issues that threaten global peace and security.
Steve Winston is the Managing Director of the National Jewish Assembly
