Kenneth Roth is a renowned American lawyer and human rights activist who has dedicated his career to advocating for justice and accountability. With over three decades of experience as the leader of Human Rights Watch (HRW), Roth played a significant role in shaping international human rights policy, including the creation of the International Criminal Court (ICC) and securing convictions for genocide, war crimes, and rights abuses committed by individuals such as Ratko Mladic, Charles Taylor, and Alberto Fujimori.
In recent years, Roth has turned his attention to the ongoing crisis in Gaza, warning that if Israel responds similarly to the 9/11 attacks, it risks losing global sympathy and becoming the focus of indignation. He believes there is no doubt that genocide is occurring in Gaza, citing evidence of war crimes and rights abuses committed by both Israel and Hamas.
Roth’s criticisms of Israel’s actions in Gaza are rooted in his belief that its actions constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity. Despite Israel’s claims that they warn civilians to evacuate and that Hamas uses civilians as human shields, Roth argues that these defenses do not justify the severe harm being inflicted on civilians. He criticizes Israel’s use of warnings as a way to justify attacks on civilians and calls for accountability for the disproportionate harm being caused.
Roth also takes issue with the ceasefire resolution passed by the Security Council, which he believes is undermined by the Biden Administration’s non-binding statement. He suggests that pressure on Israel to comply with the resolution should come through sanctions and conditioning military aid but emphasizes that this requires action from the US. Roth acknowledges Egypt’s role in collaborating with Israel on the blockade of Gaza but highlights the need for all parties involved to address the humanitarian crisis in the region.
Overall, Roth’s insights shed light on the complexities of the conflict in Gaza, emphasizing the importance of holding those responsible for human rights violations accountable and calling for international pressure to address ongoing crises like this one.
