Thread by @Aizenberg55

🧵Many “genocide scholars” alleging genocide in Gaza didn’t reach that view through careful analysis of the war. They called Israel genocidal long before 10/7. For example, Martin Shaw, now often cited, called Zionism and Israel’s 1948 founding genocidal years ago. Details: 1/

Shaw is therefore not a neutral “genocide expert” evaluating Gaza but an anti-Israel activist. If Israel’s creation & Zionism are genocide, then Gaza is a foregone conclusion. In all his writings since 10/7 he doesn’t engage with facts & analyze—he instead shills for Hamas. 2/

Shaw admits Hamas embeds in the civilian population but instead of blaming Hamas, he excuses it—granting it blanket immunity. He claims Israel’s aim to destroy Hamas is thus illegal and genocidal because civilians will die. So this "expert" just invents international law. 3/

Shaw goes deeper as a Hamas apologist, calling 10/7 a mere reaction to the “genocidal structure of the conflict”—which of course he blames on “Zionism” itself—and asks what Israel’s “final solution” in Gaza will be, clearly invoking the terminology of the Holocaust. 4/

Shaw claims “a densely populated urban area cannot be made a battlefield”—a pure invention of law. He never criticizes Hamas’ urban entrenchment or tunnels under homes. Yet he’s considered a top “genocide expert” despite clearly knowing little about the actual laws of war. 5/

Interestingly, Shaw effectively acknowledges that under the ICJ’s rulings, Israel’s conduct does not satisfy the “special intent” required for genocide. Yet he advocates redefining genocide to fit his conclusions, which are that Zionism & Israel are by definition genocidal. 6/

Many of the so-called “genocide experts” cited on Gaza have no military expertise, have not analyzed the war itself, and long ago labeled Israel genocidal. Shaw is just one example. I’ll be exposing more of these activist scholars. END