Genocide is plausible; stop arms to Israel

Published March 2024

Art by Deborah Garber Design © 

To sign the petition, use the "Sign now" button below. For press inquiries, contact Dr. Lior Sternfeld. For other inquiries, contact info@academics4peace.org.

President Biden,


We, the undersigned academics and supporters, call on the US to stop transfer of all offensive arms and related funds to Israel, immediately. The International Court of Justice found by an overwhelming majority (15 of 17 judges) that South Africa’s allegations - that Israel is engaged in genocide - are plausible. Despite the court ordering provisional measures, the killing and starvation of Gazans has worsened exponentially. 


The crime of genocide is defined as “any of the following acts [when] committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial or religious group”: killing, causing serious bodily or mental harm, inflicting conditions to bring about physical destruction, imposing measures intended to prevent births.


Israel’s assault on Gaza appears to include both acts and intent stated in the definition of genocide. In the last five months, Israel’s targeting of civilians in Gaza has resulted in over 30,000 dead, 70% of them children and women, with thousands more under rubble. There are documented cases of executions, torture, sexual violence, and persistent policies leading to starvation and dehydration. Public health experts predict that by year’s end, hundreds of thousands will die as a result of Israel’s actions. Israeli leaders have called for retribution and abandoning restraint, assigned collective responsibility to an entire nation for the atrocious Oct. 7 crimes of Hamas, and called for making the Gaza Strip uninhabitable.


The US is a party to the Genocide Convention, and owes the international community the obligation to prevent this heinous crime. When the US continues to send weapons to Israel, especially after ICJ’s provisional measures, it violates these obligations. 


President Biden, do not let the United States go down in history as the enabler of genocide. Respect the US’s obligation under international law and basic morality. The only way to stop the starvation of two million people, including 100+ Israeli hostages, is to end this war.


We repeat, genocide is plausible.

We welcome signatures from the broader community, regardless of affiliation or profession.

To sign the petition, click the "Sign now" button below. For press inquiries, contact Dr. Lior Sternfeld. For other inquiries, contact info@academics4peace.org.

List of Signatories

Statement Authors


Award Winners & Academic Leaders


Academics, Clergy, Professionals, Artists

To sign the petition, click the "Sign now" button above. For press inquiries, contact Dr. Lior Sternfeld. For other inquiries, contact info@academics4peace.org.