119. Is Gaza a Genocide? The Legal Truth the World Ignores | Prof. William Schabas

Описание: What does “genocide” truly mean - legally, morally, and historically?
In this rare and deeply clarifying conversation, Professor William Schabas, one of the world’s leading authorities on genocide, international law, and accountability, breaks down how the crime of genocide is actually defined, proven, denied, and prosecuted.
Schabas, author of Genocide in International Law and advisor to the UN, ICC, and ICJ, explains why genocide is considered the “crime of crimes”, how courts determine intent, why the term is often misused in politics and media, and what is unfolding today in cases involving Gaza, Ukraine, Myanmar, and beyond.
This episode provides a calm, structured, and deeply human roadmap for anyone trying to understand one of the most emotionally charged and misunderstood concepts in global conflict.
He explains:
Why genocide is harder to prove than people think


How courts distinguish genocide from war crimes or ethnic cleansing


Why the term is politically weaponized


The surge in states bringing genocide claims before the ICJ


The historic shift toward legal accountability in global conflicts


What the world needs to prevent future atrocities


This conversation avoids rhetoric and focuses on law, precedent, and principles offering clarity in a time of overwhelming noise.

⏱️ Timestamps
00:00 - Introduction: Why “Genocide” Carries Unique Moral Weight
03:12 - The Origins of the Genocide Convention and Its Legal Definition
08:45 - Rwanda, Bosnia, and the Lessons that Shaped Modern Genocide Law
14:20 - Intent vs. Mass Killing: What Courts Actually Look For
18:55 - Why Proving Genocide Is So Difficult
24:36 - Misuse of the Term in Politics and Media
30:41 - The ICJ, ICC & the Rise of Legal Accountability
36:14 - Genocide and the Case of Ukraine
40:58 - Genocide and the Case of Gaza: What the Law Considers
46:55 - The Duty to Prevent Genocide & International Responsibility
52:10 - Can International Law Stop Atrocities?
54:22 - Final Reflections

🔗 Resources & Links
Professor William Schabas
📚 Genocide in International Law (Third Edition) - https://global.oup.com/academic
More about his work: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William...

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