Historian Omer Bartov Discusses Israel-Hamas Conflict and Genocide Allegations
Omer Bartov, a historian specializing in the Holocaust and genocide at Brown University, has discussed the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, particularly focusing on the allegations of genocide in Gaza. Bartov, who served in the Israel Defense Force (IDF), initially warned in October 2023 of potential war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. By May 2024, he concluded that Israel was committing genocide, citing the systematic destruction of infrastructure and the displacement of the Gazan population. He points to statements by Israeli officials, such as then-Defense Minister Yoav Gallant's remarks about 'human animals' and Prime Minister Netanyahu's invocation of Amalek, as evidence of intent to destroy the group. Bartov argues that the IDF's operational patterns, including pushing the population south and rendering Gaza uninhabitable, align with the UN Convention's definition of genocide, which includes creating conditions that prevent a group's survival. He also highlights the Israeli public's widespr... 
