HB555

The Genocide Lie • Israel is not committing genocide. The 1948 Genocide Convention defines genocide as the intent to destroy an entire ethnic, religious, or national group (5). Israel is defending itself against Hamas, a terrorist organization that explicitly calls for the extermination of Jews. "The Day of Judgement will not come until Muslims fight the Jews (killing the Jews), when the Jew will hide behind stones and trees. The stones and trees will say: O Muslims, O Abdullah, there is a Jew behind me, come and kill him." (Hamas Charter, Article 7) (6). The real genocide is not being committed by Israel, but against it. Hamas and its backers openly call for the complete annihilation of Jews-not just Israelis, but all Jews worldwide (7). Israel is fighting not for expansion, not for oppression, but for survival. • The combatant-to-civilian ratio in Gaza proves Israel is not engaged in genocide. Despite Hamas embedding itself in civilian areas, using human shields, and violating international law, Israel's civilian casualty ratio remains significantly lower than wartime norms. In modern conflicts, the ratio of civilians to combatants is much higher, yet Israel-despite Hamas's illegal tactics-continues to minimize civilian casualties through advance warnings, precision targeting, and adherence to the laws of war (8). • Hamas intentionally violates the rules of war. According to international law, combatants must distinguish themselves from civilians, wear uniforms, and avoid using civilian areas for military operations. Hamas does the opposite-it hides in hospitals, launches attacks from schools, and prevents civilians from evacuating dangerous areas (9). This deliberate strategy is designed to maximize civilian casualties so Hamas can falsely accuse Israel of war crimes, despite being the cause of those deaths. Labeling Israel's defensive war as genocide is not just inaccurate-it is a dangerous distortion of reality meant to demonize Israel while absolving Hamas of its war crimes.

The HNRHR is not the Bill of Rights. We must follow our laws.

I oppose this bill because you cannot have a discussion on genocide without including Palestinians and genocide against black people in this country as well

I am writing to strongly oppose HB555-FN that is being proposed to amend RSA 189:11-I-c(j) to include ... "the genocide of indigenous peoples in the United States, and the Palestinian genocide." The definition of genocide per the UN specifically speaks to "acts committed with intent to destroy........ a national, ethical, racial or religious group..." It further defines intent as "the existence of a State or organization plan or policy." It does not speak to casualties of war. As legislators, you are responsible for submitting legislation based on a balanced, rational and informed understanding of issues, rather than on perceived injustices. Casualties of indigenous peoples were the result of European colonists emigrating to the new world to escape their own persecution and to find a new life. Native Americans were not an intentional target, in fact the two first attempted a harmonious relationship. Both groups were trying to survive and claim the land as their own. Further, defining the loss of Palestinian lives in the Middle East conflict as genocide is disturbing. The UN definition of genocide was actually established in reaction to the Holocaust after 6 million Jews and other groups (black people, Romas, gays, etc.) were intentionally targeted for extermination as part of the Nazi ideology of racial purity. Compare this to Israel defending itself in retaliation for the slaughter of more than 1,200 of its citizens on October 7, 2023 (intentionally targeted because they were Jews). Israel responded by attempting to eradicate the Hamas terrorist organization from Gaza with as much precision and forewarning as they could, by dropping leaflets, "roof knocking," pre-recorded and live phone calls, etc. What other war has been conducted in such a way to protect civilians? It is very unfortunate that civilians are collateral damage, but the groups in this conflict that more clearly fit the definition of perpetuating genocide should be Hamas, Hezbollah and Iran. Please be careful with your attempt to re-define war casualties as genocide. You will find it a slippery slope.

Right now anti-semitism has skyrocketed 360% according to the Anti-Defamation League. The war was started by Hamas, when on October 7, 2023, it invaded Israel and raped, tortured, mutilated, and slaughtered approximately 1,200 innocent civilians and abducted 240 others, including babies and elderly. Four of those people (2 innocent babies, one 9 months old, their mother and an elderly holocaust survivor bodies are being returned home, DEAD after being held captive for 500 days so their families can mourn their deaths! The so-called "genocide" of which this bill speaks to is a sad but inevitable result of war. Israel had every right to defend it's country as the United States has done so in so many wars and battles. No-one called the killing of thousands of civilians during WWI or WWII a genocide by the United States. To amend the Holocaust and Genocide Act to include so-called "Palestinian Genocide" is down right insulting! I strongly oppose this amendment!

Dear Members of the House Education Policy and Administration, I am writing in opposition to the HB 555. This bill would require NH students to learn about genocide -lumping the lie about Israelis committing genocide against Palestinians (citing the UN and ICC) with Nazis committing genocide and others. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has long been a deeply contentious issue, with Gaza often at the center of intense international scrutiny. Accusations of genocide leveled against Israel have fueled passionate debates and protests worldwide. However, a careful examination of the situation reveals that labeling Israel's actions as genocide in Gaza is both inaccurate and unjustified. Understanding the complex history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is crucial in assessing the situation in Gaza. The conflict traces its roots back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries, marked by competing claims to the land and waves of violence. Decades of failed peace negotiations, territorial disputes, and terrorist attacks have further exacerbated tensions. Israel has undertaken military operations in Gaza in response to repeated rocket attacks and terrorist activities perpetrated by Hamas, the de facto governing authority in Gaza. These operations aim to dismantle Hamas' infrastructure and prevent further attacks on Israeli civilians. While casualties among Palestinian civilians are tragic, they are not indicative of genocidal intent. Israel has made significant efforts to mitigate civilian casualties during its military operations in Gaza. It has employed advanced warning systems, such as phone calls, text messages, and leaflets, to alert civilians of impending airstrikes and provide them with opportunities to evacuate targeted areas. Additionally, Israel has facilitated the delivery of humanitarian aid, including food, medicine, and fuel, to alleviate the suffering of the civilian population in Gaza. The accusation of genocide carries grave implications and must be assessed in accordance with legal and ethical standards. Genocide, as defined by the United Nations Genocide Convention, involves specific acts committed with the intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group. Israel's actions in Gaza do not meet this criterion, as they are directed at countering security threats posed by Hamas rather than targeting the Palestinian population as a whole. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is characterized by its complexity and nuance, defying simplistic narratives and solutions. Both sides have legitimate grievances and aspirations that must be addressed through dialogue, diplomacy, and compromise. Reducing the conflict to accusations of genocide oversimplifies the issues at hand and impedes progress towards a peaceful resolution. Accusing Israel of committing genocide in Gaza is a misrepresentation of the facts and undermines efforts to address the underlying causes of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. While civilian casualties are undoubtedly tragic, they are not evidence of genocidal intent. Constructive engagement, dialogue, and respect for international law are essential for achieving a just and lasting peace in the region. I urge you to vote against HB555. Thank you for your consideration, Martin Cohn

While understanding the Holocaust, genocides and history is important, I’m concerned that Bill HB555 leaves it open for teachers to convey their own, perhaps political, views even if those views are not based on facts. There is clear evidence that the Holocaust demonstrated genocidal intent in that the Nazis stated their intention to exterminate the Jewish population. The inclusion of "Palestinian genocide" in the bill implies general agreement that there is(was) intent to exterminate the entire Palestinian population (that would be the definition of Palestinian genocide) when, in fact, that is not the case. Passage of the bill will enable a teacher to present a view not based on fact but rather on wide-spread propaganda, and may possibly convey to and instill antisemitism in students. Please do not pass HB555 as written.

I oppose the wording in this bill. Israel does not have a policy of genocide towards the Palestinian people. This war is tragic and there is no doubt that the civilian casualties are horrific. I am not opposed to discussing the situation in schools . In fact, I believe discussion is important. In teaching young people we need to be clear.

It minimizes and intentionally distorts history and destruction of 6 Million Jewish people and to hate the Jewish state with outrageous propaganda of “Palestinian genocide