As someone else pointed out, I acknowledge that the original article is second-hand information about a private call, so it really doesn’t matter to be precise in that exact scenario. So strictly speaking, I jumped the gun.
However… since then, Pope Leo has come out with a public statement:
My critique now applies. He calls it a “war” and a “conflict” here, and a “slaughter” in the private phone call. None of these are sufficient or even necessary (PDF warning) for genocide to occur (although they most certainly are occuring!). His refusal to use the word “genocide” is deliberate. If he had even a quarter of a spine, he’d be calling it a genocide. He’s literally the literal Pope! He has the power to do this!
It is not like “slaughter” is any nicer word than “genocide”. I would argue that slaughter sounds much worse to an average person.
Genocide is what Netanyahu is doing, and slaughter is how.
Not only slaughter but active refusal of help and active blocking of food, water and other resources.
Including killing people just trying to help.
It is all even worse.
As someone else pointed out, I acknowledge that the original article is second-hand information about a private call, so it really doesn’t matter to be precise in that exact scenario. So strictly speaking, I jumped the gun.
However… since then, Pope Leo has come out with a public statement:
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/265457/pope-leo-xiv-prays-by-name-for-gaza-parish-strike-victims-renews-plea-for-ceasefire
My critique now applies. He calls it a “war” and a “conflict” here, and a “slaughter” in the private phone call. None of these are sufficient or even necessary (PDF warning) for genocide to occur (although they most certainly are occuring!). His refusal to use the word “genocide” is deliberate. If he had even a quarter of a spine, he’d be calling it a genocide. He’s literally the literal Pope! He has the power to do this!