Israeli Author David Grossman Describes Gaza Campaign as "Genocide" in Italian Interview

Israeli author and peace activist David Grossman has publicly referred to Israel's military campaign in Gaza as "genocide" for the first time, expressing his remarks with "immense pain and a broken heart" in an interview with Italy's La Repubblica. Grossman, a recipient of the Israel Prize for Literature, said he had long avoided using the term but felt compelled after witnessing recent events and speaking with people who had been in the region.

Grossman stated that the use of the word "genocide" in relation to Israel signals a profound moral crisis. He emphasized that the situation is particularly distressing given the Jewish people's historical experience with suffering and their claimed moral responsibility toward all humanity. While he noted that Israel cannot be solely blamed for the ongoing violence and acknowledged that casualty figures are reported by Hamas, he described it as "devastating" to associate Israel with famine in Gaza.

Reflecting on the broader conflict, Grossman argued that both Israelis and Palestinians have struggled with the "temptation of power." He attributed Israel's current challenges to the occupation of Palestinian territories since 1967, which he believes has had a corrupting influence. Grossman also criticized the Palestinian leadership for not rebuilding Gaza after Israel's 2005 withdrawal, instead allowing the area to become a base for attacks against Israel.

Despite the ongoing conflict, Grossman reaffirmed his commitment to a two-state solution, stating he sees no viable alternative. He welcomed French President Emmanuel Macron's recent announcement supporting recognition of a Palestinian state, suggesting that dealing with a recognized state could offer advantages, provided there are conditions such as demilitarization and transparent elections.

The conflict in Gaza has resulted in significant casualties. According to the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry, over 60,000 Palestinians have been killed since October 2023, though these figures cannot be independently verified and do not distinguish between civilians and combatants. Israel reports having killed around 20,000 militants in Gaza and stresses efforts to minimize civilian casualties, while accusing Hamas of operating from civilian areas.