Genocide in Gaza: Trump’s Policy & the Crisis of Law and Media
On the 28th June 2025, the International Centre of Justice for Palestinians (ICJP) hosted ‘ Genocide in Gaza: Trump’s Policy, and the Crisis of Law and Media’ in Westminster. The event’s included panels and keynote speakers discussed the lack of international accountability and role of Western news outlets in shaping public perception of the genocide in Gaza. Of the two panel discussions, wthe first analysed double standards of media coverage in Gaza, and the second discussed how Iran and the changing global context shaped the genocide in Gaza and the future of Palestine.
In our first panel, Dr. Omar al-Ghazzi, professor at the London School of Economics (LSE), described the trend of the media neglecting Gaza as “a war on history”. Al-Ghazzi warned how these media narratives could shape how upcoming generations understand the events in Gaza. Faisal Hanif, a media analyst at the Centre for Media Monitoring (CfMM), supported this by highlighting specific language patterns in coverage, as highlighted in the CfMM’s recent report. He noted that the term “massacre” appeared 18 times more often when referring to Hamas attacks than to Israeli attacks on Palestinians. He also commented on the BBC’s shutting down of references to genocide in its Gaza coverage more than 100 times over the past year. British-Israeli journalist Rachel Shabi criticised the ban on international reporters entering Gaza as a safety measure. She further elaborated that media outlets “fall for the trap without calling it out”.
In his keynote speech, Professor Avi Shlaim criticised Israel’s strategy as propaganda that silences opposition by branding critics antisemitic. Professor Martin Shaw also gave a keynote speech, arguing that Western powers recognise the atrocities in Gaza but do nothing, revealing the collapse of the “responsibility to protect” and “humanitarian intervention”. Al-Ghazzi agreed, arguing that the West maintains control over discourse and history, presenting itself as the ultimate judge of right and wrong.
Tayab Ali, director of the ICJP, and Head of International Law at Bindmans LLP, and Daniel Levy, a former Israeli peace negotiator, both scrutinised Israel’s current military and legal strategies, warning they are undermining both international law and Israel’s long-term stability. Ali emphasised the selective application of international law as well as the justifications for military actions becoming harder to sustain, especially after the strikes on Iran. Meanwhile, Levy noted the Israeli people’s rising reluctance to serve in the military, and stated “there’s a broader disillusionment” with the war in Israeli society.
The event was broadcast live by the Middle East Eye (MEE), and can be watched below.
