The Prospect Podcast Israeli genocide scholar: ‘My country is in denial’
Oct 8, 2025
Omer Bartov, an Israeli-American historian and expert in Holocaust and Genocide Studies, discusses the alarming reality of war in Gaza, labeling it genocidal. He highlights the cultural denial among Israelis regarding their government's actions, tracing its roots to historical narratives and personal connections. Bartov draws parallels with denialism in France and Germany, reflecting on his upbringing's erasure of the Palestinian presence. He asserts that this ongoing denial enables further injustices, while also critiquing the justifications surrounding genocide labels.
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From War To Genocidal Campaign
- Omer Bartov concluded by June 2024 that Israel's campaign had become genocidal, not merely retaliatory warfare.
- He links that judgment to systematic destruction and statements from Israeli leaders indicating intent.
Leaders' Rhetoric As Evidence
- Bartov highlights explicit dehumanizing statements by leaders as evidence of genocidal intent.
- He warns such rhetoric incites soldiers and normalizes treating civilians as expendable.
Why Army Crimes Are Hard To Admit
- Bartov compares Israeli denial to postwar German denial about the Wehrmacht's crimes.
- He argues acknowledging army involvement is uniquely painful because families serve in the military.
