The terrorist group Hamas is committing genocide, senior Biden administration officials told Congress on Nov. 8.
The terrorist group Hamas is committing genocide, senior Biden administration officials told Congress on Nov. 8.
During a House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing about U.S. support for Israel—which has come under its latest round of attacks from Hamas since Oct. 7— Committee Chairman Michael McCaul (R-Texas) asked the Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs, Barbara Leaf, and the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense (DASD) for the Middle East, Dana Stroul, “Would you say that Hamas is also guilty of war crimes and genocide?”
“Yes,” said Ms. Stroul.
“Yes,” said Ms. Leaf.
In the U.S. government, namely the State Department, “genocide” is an official designation and is not said casually. It carries a heavy weight in terms of U.S. policy and messaging.
The hearing was interrupted numerous times by pro-Palestinian activists, as has been the case on Capitol Hill during hearings about the Israel-Hamas conflict or antisemitism.
On March 21, 2022, the State Department announced it deemed the Burmese military junta had committed genocide against Rohingya Muslims.
“Today’s determination is one step on that path as it tells Rohingya, and victims in particular, that the U.S. government recognizes