Family of Raphael Lemkin Challenges Institute Using His Name to Accuse Israel of Genocide

HARRISBURG, Pa. — The family of Raphael Lemkin, the Polish-Jewish lawyer who coined the term “genocide,” is urging Pennsylvania authorities to scrutinize an institute that uses his name to allege that Israel has committed war crimes and genocide. The call comes amid growing concern from Lemkin’s descendants and a coalition of prominent rabbis who argue that the institute’s actions misrepresent Lemkin’s legacy and distort the legal definition of genocide.

According to the family and religious leaders, the Raphael Lemkin Institute, based in Pennsylvania, has publicly accused Israel of engaging in genocidal acts, a charge they say is both legally unfounded and damaging to Lemkin’s memory. They contend that the institute’s use of Lemkin’s name in this context is misleading and inappropriate.

The Lemkin family and allied rabbis have formally requested that state officials conduct a review of the institute’s operations and its use of the name. They emphasize that Raphael Lemkin’s work was rooted in preventing atrocities and that his legacy should not be employed to advance political claims that lack rigorous legal basis.

Raphael Lemkin, who coined “genocide” in 1944, dedicated his life to advocating for the recognition and prevention of mass atrocities. His efforts were instrumental in the adoption of the United Nations Genocide Convention in 1948, which defines genocide as acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group.

The institute’s accusations against Israel have sparked controversy, with supporters of the organization asserting that their work sheds light on alleged human rights violations. However, critics argue that labeling the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as genocide oversimplifies complex geopolitical realities and risks undermining the precise legal standards established by Lemkin and international law.

Officials in Pennsylvania have not yet publicly responded to the family’s request for a review. The situation highlights ongoing tensions surrounding the use of historical figures’ legacies in contemporary political debates, particularly those involving sensitive and contested issues such as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The Lemkin family’s intervention underscores the importance of preserving the integrity of legal terms and the reputations of individuals who have contributed significantly to international law. Their appeal to state authorities reflects a broader concern about how historical narratives and terminology are employed in modern discourse.

As the debate continues, the outcome of the requested review could have implications for how institutions use the names of historical figures in advocacy and the boundaries of political expression under the guise of scholarly work. The family and their supporters remain committed to ensuring that Raphael Lemkin’s legacy is honored in a manner consistent with his lifelong mission to combat genocide worldwide.