Tel Aviv / Rome— In a powerful and unprecedented public statement, internationally acclaimed Israeli author and peace advocate David Grossman has described his country’s ongoing military operations in Gaza as a “genocide”, marking the first time he has publicly used the term to describe Israel’s actions.
In an interview with Italy’s La Repubblica, Grossman admitted that although he had long resisted using the word “genocide,” recent images and testimonies from Gaza left him with no choice. “This word is an avalanche: once you say it, it just gets bigger… and it adds more destruction and suffering,” he said, revealing that he spoke with “immense pain and a broken heart.”
Grossman, known for his decades-long commitment to peace, said the mere association of terms like “Israel” and “genocide” should sound a warning bell, especially considering the Jewish people’s traumatic history with the Holocaust. He also reflected on the symbolic weight of the word “famine” being linked with Israel—a state born in the shadow of mass suffering and displacement.
He further argued that Israel’s moral erosion began in 1967 with the occupation of Palestinian territories, calling it a “defining curse” that continues to haunt the nation. Reiterating his longstanding position, Grossman urged both Israelis and Palestinians to re-engage in dialogue aimed at achieving a two-state solution, which he believes remains the only viable path forward.
Grossman’s remarks come at a time when Israeli human rights groups like B’Tselem and Physicians for Human Rights Israel have also publicly stated that Israel’s actions in Gaza meet the legal criteria for genocide. This reflects a growing unease even within segments of Israeli civil society about the direction of the government’s policies.
The humanitarian situation in Gaza has deteriorated drastically since October 2023, with over 60,000 Palestinians killed, including more than 18,000 children, according to UN and international reports. At least 1,373 people have died attempting to reach food distribution centers since late May, amid widespread famine and blocked humanitarian access.
Despite mounting global criticism, Israeli authorities strongly deny the genocide accusation. Officials argue that the civilian casualties are the result of Hamas using civilian areas for military operations and that the statistics do not indicate any intention of mass extermination.
David Grossman is widely regarded as one of Israel’s most respected literary figures. His novels, including To the End of the Land, have been translated into more than 30 languages and earned him numerous international awards. He received the prestigious Israel Prize for Literature in 2018.
A passionate advocate for peace, Grossman has long been involved in dialogue initiatives such as the Geneva Initiative. His personal loss in the 2006 Lebanon War—when his son Uri was killed in combat—has deeply influenced his writings and his moral stance on war and peace in the region.
Grossman’s latest remarks underscore a growing crisis of conscience among segments of Israeli intellectual and civil society as the Gaza war continues to inflict devastating consequences on the Palestinian population.
