Author Revises Stance, Calls Israeli Actions in Gaza Genocide After Earlier Denial
Chaja Polak, who previously rejected the term genocide for the Gaza conflict, now says the Israeli assault meets that definition.
The columnist, after discussing the documentary NAZA, had applied the term genocide to Israel's military campaign in Gaza, sparking mixed reactions. He recalled Chaja Polak's January 2025 one outlet's article, where she described the bombardments and starvation as criminal but stopped short of calling them genocide. Polak wrote back, conceding that the situation in Gaza does constitute genocide, a conclusion she reached only after prolonged personal struggle.
She cited recent data on Palestinian living conditions and the harsh judgments of respected voices such as David Grossman and emeritus professor Abram de Swaan, who are linked to the activist group Joden zeggen nee. Polak also referenced the genocide definition she used in her book Brief in de nacht, emphasizing intent to destroy a national, ethnic, religious or racial group. She expressed sorrow that acknowledging genocide tarnishes the memory of the Holocaust and feels a personal responsibility for the damage caused by the Israeli government.
How this was covered
- Left-leaning outlets covered this 46h later
- The two sides describe this in almost entirely different words
Why it matters
The shift signals growing acknowledgment of severe civilian harm in Gaza and deepens debate over labeling the conflict as genocide.
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