What Is Genocide?

What is genocide? I agree that the term has fallen victim to "verbal inflation." Both Hamas and Israel have been accused of war crimes - attacking civilian populations - but to accuse Israel of genocide is a misuse of the term. Rwanda was a genocide by legal standards. President Obama is taking steps in Iraq to prevent a possible genocide by the ISIS against Christians and others. I argue the world community has a "responsibility to protect" in the event of genocide. Even limited military action in Rwanda, such as destroying radio and other communication facilities, could have saved lives. We've said: Never again! We ought to mean that. I hope very much the humanitarian aid and limited air campaign does accomplish the mission without drawing the U.S. back into a long term effort in Iraq. It is worth noting that Christians lived in peace in Iraq before the U.S. Invasion there. At the same time, we need to do everything possible to push the Israeli government into a new peace accord. President Obama is in my prayers, as always, as he seeks to navigate these waters. My prayers are also with all those facing or fleeing violence...whatever the legal definition.


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