Title: The Concept of Genocide and the Destruction of Gaza

How has the concept of “genocide” evolved in the context of modern warfare, specifically with regards to Israel’s ongoing campaign in Gaza? While debates about the occurrence of genocide in Gaza are widespread, and largely center around assertion or denial, this talk takes a different approach. Instead of arguing for or against the claim of genocide, A. Dirk Moses explores why the term has become the ultimate legal and moral benchmark for victimized groups, from Palestinians to Ukrainians. Why is the term “genocide” invoked rather than “war crimes” or “crimes against humanity?” Through a historical lens, Dirk Moses, Anne and Bernard Spitzer Professor of International Relations at The City College of New York, examines how the concept of genocide, defined in the mid-20th century, was shaped in ways that allow nations to conduct destructive wars against civilians without falling under the United Nations’ legal definitions. This event addresses the ongoing challenge international courts face: whether to adapt their legal frameworks to address modern warfare or continue to permit the destruction of civilian lives and environments under the guise of “military necessity.” Dirk Moses offers a new perspective on these challenges in addition to other critical questions about justice, warfare, and the evolving nature of international law.