NOTE: If you are short on time, watch the video and complete this See, Think, Wonder activity: What did you notice? What did the story make you think about? What would you want to learn more about?
SUMMARY
An independent, international commission attached to the U.N.’s Human Rights Council released its report this week, accusing Israel of an ongoing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. The commission said statements made by Israeli authorities are “direct evidence of genocidal intent.” Nick Schifrin has two views on the report from Craig Mokhabir and Dr. Eran Shamir-Borer.
View the transcript of the story.
News alternative: Check out recent segments from the NewsHour, and choose the story you’re most interested in watching. You can make a Google doc copy of discussion questions that work for any of the stories here.
Key terms
genocide — "the intentional mass destruction of a group of people based on religion, ethnicity or another identity or characteristic." (CFR Education)
WARM-UP QUESTIONS
- Who are Craig Mokhabir and Dr. Eran Shamir-Borer?
- What did the U.N. report state?
- When did the report come out?
- How did the two lawyers each explain their positions on the question of genocide?
- Why did the report conclude Israel was carrying out a genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, according to Mokhabir? How does Shamir-Borer dispute those arguments?
ESSENTIAL QUESTION
Who do you think had the stronger argument and why?
Media literacy: Why do you think the News Hour chose to interview the two guests separately? Do you agree with this decision? Explain.
WHAT STUDENTS CAN DO
Take a look at the learning resource "What is genocide?" by CFR Education. The reading provides a historical overview of how the word "genocide" was introduced as a legal term after the Holocaust — and how the world continues to debate its meaning. Read the history, examine the photographs and analyze the graph below. Be sure to read the section at the end, "Is genocide happening today?"
You may also wish to take a look at the reading "What Are Human Rights?" from CFR Education to learn about the "history of international human rights law and how countries and courts protect the rights of all people."
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