SCIAF statement on Genocide in Gaza: speaking the truth with courage

Last week, the UN Commission of Inquiry concluded that “Israeli authorities and Israeli security forces have committed and are continuing to commit acts of genocide against the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip”. The expert panel reached this conclusion based on findings that four “genocidal acts” had been committed, including mass killings, inflicting destructive living conditions, and preventing births.  

Conclusion 220 of the report states: 

“On the basis of fully conclusive evidence, the Commission finds that statements made by Israeli authorities are direct evidence of genocidal intent. Additionally, on the basis of circumstantial evidence, the Commission finds that genocidal intent was the only reasonable inference that could be drawn based on the pattern of conduct of the Israeli authorities. Thus, the Commission concludes that the Israeli authorities and Israeli security forces have the genocidal intent to destroy, in whole or in part, the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.” 

Based on the assessments of many independent legal experts across the world, and especially the decision of the UN Commission of Inquiry on the 16th September, as of today SCIAF will refer to the actions of the Israeli Government in Gaza as genocide. This determination is based on expert adjudication, mounting evidence, first-hand accounts of atrocities, public statements of intent, all included in impartial reports submitted to the UN and the International Court of Justice. 

As concluded by the UN, the events unfolding in Gaza point to deliberate acts, aimed at destroying the civilian population and rendering the area uninhabitable. As the official aid agency of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland, and as a humanitarian organisation committed to tackling the root causes of poverty, war and suffering, we feel a moral duty to speak out: to protect civilians and to prevent further atrocities and genocidal acts. 

Naming the actions of the Israeli Government as genocide in no way undermines SCIAF’s utter condemnation of the attacks by Hamas on October 7, 2023, murders by other Palestinian groups, or our support for the right of the people of Israel to live in peace and enjoy their rights alongside their neighbours. SCIAF stands on the side of the innocent victims of war, and on the side of justice. 

Under the Genocide Convention, and under any possible understanding of right and wrong, we call on all those in positions of power to do everything they can to end this horrific genocide. Halt the supply of weapons, impose strengthened economic sanctions, and ensure unrestricted humanitarian access to Gaza.  

At times like these, in the face of such horrors, it is easy to feel helpless. We are called to pray for peace, and to pray for justice – and we must continue to do so. Prayer strengthens our resolve to act. Prayer gives us hope, and this hope gives us the courage to act. As Pope Francis reminded us: “We cannot be tepid disciples. The Church needs our courage in order to give witness to truth.” Our action must be grounded in truth and courage.