ABC boss David Anderson announced last week that it was not the broadcaster's job to use terms such as "genocide" and "apartheid" in its coverage of the ongoing attacks by Israel on Gaza and the West Bank.

Anderson told ABC radio:

Anderson went on to state that genocide is a serious crime and one that Israel and the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) deny is being committed by them in their war on the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

The fact that Israel and the IDF deny allegations of genocide should surprise no one, and neither is that denial sufficient reason for the broadcaster to refrain from usage of the term.

Young people in the West stand in solidarity for a Gaza ceasefire

The death toll in Gaza has now reached around 12,000.

Anderson insisted that it is not the ABC's job to "accuse either side of alleged crimes," a rather bizarre claim given that daily, alleged perpetrators of alleged crimes are identified in the media along with their alleged offences. This is not considered by anybody to be "accusing" them of anything. Allegations are just that and remain that until they are proven, disproven or dismissed.

Why is it different for Israel?

Perhaps the ABC could point to the United Nations' definition of genocide and the number of criteria IDF operations currently fulfil:

As far as we can tell, points 4 and 5 might be arguable, depending on whether killing newborns either intentionally or by withholding medicine and treatment is included in 5.

Peace in Palestine needs us - in our thousands and our millions

The worldwide protest movement against the Israeli atrocities in Gaza and the West Bank is growing.

There is currently a Change.org petition circulating to facilitate the adoption of orphaned Palestinian children, which may or may not count towards the forcible transference of children to another group. Certainly, the IDF is responsible for creating the conditions that result in an excessive number of orphaned children suddenly available for adoption. "Forcible" may or may not include the enforcement of conditions in which the children's right to life cannot be ensured.

The petition states:

One of the criteria for establishing genocide is intent.

According to the UN Office on Genocide Prevention and the Responsibility to Protect:

There have been several expressions of intent from members of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government.

Gaza and the Law of return

The civilian slaughter in Gaza today did not begin solely as a consequence of the monstrous Hamas attack on Israel on October 7.

For example:

Knesset member and former Minister Galit Distal Atbaryan called for "erasing all of Gaza from the face of the Earth... a second Nakba... or let them die... Gaza needs to be wiped out".

Defence Minister Yoav Gallant called Gazans "human animals" and ordered a "complete siege" including a total blockade of food, fuel and electricity.

Gallant said:

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich declared:

Twenty years of Australian PM cowardice on Israel and Palestine

Australia's political leaders have tip-toed cautiously around conflict in the Middle East, offering words of support but showing little else.

On 2 November 2023, UN experts declared:

The UN also warns:

There is a mounting body of evidence that the crimes of genocide and apartheid are being committed by Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. That the ABC has chosen to protect Israel against these growing allegations is startling and a privilege not afforded to any other alleged perpetrator reported by the media.

An allegation is not an accusation and it is alarming that ABC management is apparently unaware of this distinction in this particular case.

Dr Jennifer Wilson is an IA columnist, a psychotherapist and an academic. You can follow Jennifer on Twitter @NoPlaceForSheep.

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