Israeli NGOs break silence, defy taboo

Two prominent Israeli human rights organisations have triggered a political firestorm after publicly accusing their own government of committing acts amounting to genocide in the Gaza Strip — a claim that challenges one of Israeli society’s deepest taboos and is drawing sharp backlash at home.

B’Tselem and Physicians for Human Rights Israel presented separate reports during a press briefing in Jerusalem on Monday, asserting that Israel’s military campaign in Gaza constitutes “intentional and systematic destruction” of Palestinian society. Their conclusions mark the most forceful denunciation to date from within Israel since the war began last October.

The use of the term “genocide” — especially in a state founded by Holocaust survivors and their descendants — is seen by many Israelis as provocative, if not offensive. The accusation touches on painful national and historical sensitivities, with government officials previously denouncing such claims as antisemitic and politically motivated.

“This is not a term we use lightly,” said Sarit Michaeli, international advocacy director at B’Tselem. “We understand the weight of this word. But after months of documentation, we believe the evidence warrants it.”

Michaeli noted that her organisation, often labelled “radical” by domestic critics but widely respected by international observers, had carefully assessed the potential fallout. “We anticipated legal, reputational, and political consequences,” she said. “We’ve faced government pressure before — but this is likely to provoke an unprecedented reaction.”

The government has not officially responded to the new reports. However, a spokesperson, David Mencer, rejected the allegations outright, stating, “We enjoy free speech in Israel, but these kinds of statements fuel antisemitism and distort reality.”

The war, which erupted following the October 7 attacks by Hamas militants — in which around 1,200 people were killed and more than 250 kidnapped — has resulted in staggering Palestinian casualties. Health authorities in Gaza say over 60,000 people have died, with widespread destruction and reports of famine conditions worsening by the day.

A global hunger monitoring group warned this week that famine is imminent in Gaza, citing a surge in malnutrition and hunger-related deaths, particularly among children under five.

Still, the Israeli public remains largely unmoved by claims of disproportionate force or war crimes. The trauma of October 7 — the deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust — remains etched in the national psyche. Many view the military response as both necessary and morally justified.

In a recent column, veteran Israeli journalist Sever Plocker reflected on the deep emotional scars left by the attacks. He argued that images of Palestinian civilians cheering on the Hamas fighters hardened Israeli perceptions and eroded any lingering empathy. “The destruction in Gaza is widely seen not just as retaliation,” he wrote, “but as a justified and essential deterrent.”

Despite this climate, both B’Tselem and Physicians for Human Rights say their findings are rooted in field research, survivor testimonies, and legal analysis. Yuli Novak, executive director of B’Tselem, said the organisation’s conclusion was emotionally difficult for staff to process.

“To accuse our own country of such a grave crime is almost unbearable,” Novak said, visibly shaken. “But we cannot remain silent. Silence is complicity.”

Physicians for Human Rights Israel, which has repeatedly warned of a collapsing health system in Gaza, echoed that stance. Its director, Guy Shalev, said the group is already facing increasing institutional resistance.

“We’ve seen early signs — frozen bank accounts, legal intimidation, and the erosion of our funding sources,” Shalev explained. “We expect this to escalate.”

The Israeli government continues to argue that its military operations are aimed at dismantling Hamas, not targeting civilians, and accuses the militant group of using human shields — a claim Hamas denies.

Meanwhile, attention in the Israeli press remains largely focused on the fate of the hostages and the national trauma of the initial assault, leaving little room for introspection about the war’s broader human toll.

Whether the reports from B’Tselem and Physicians for Human Rights shift public debate remains to be seen. For now, they stand as a rare — and controversial — attempt from within Israel to confront the darkest questions surrounding the war in Gaza.