American authorities investigate genocide institute accused of exploiting Holocaust scholar’s name to attack Israel

Authorities in Pennsylvania are investigating complaints filed by the family of Raphael Lemkin, the Jewish lawyer and international legal scholar who coined the term “genocide”, against an institute bearing his name. The Lemkin Institute has been accused of using his legacy without permission to fundraise whilst making repeated allegations that Israel is committing genocide.

Raphael Lemkin, who survived the Holocaust, developed the concept of genocide as a legal term in the aftermath of the Second World War. His work became foundational to international humanitarian law and the Genocide Convention. The Lemkin family has long expressed concern about how the institute operating under his name has used his reputation, particularly in recent months as accusations of genocide have been levelled at Israel following the October 2023 attacks and the subsequent military response in Gaza.

The Pennsylvania investigation centres on allegations that the institute solicited donations based on Lemkin’s name and prestige whilst using these funds to pursue political positions that the family argues do not reflect the scholar’s actual legacy or values. The complaint suggests the institute has operated without proper authorisation from Lemkin’s family to use his name and intellectual property for fundraising purposes.

The case highlights broader tensions over how historical figures and their legacies are invoked in contemporary political debates, particularly those surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It also raises questions about institutional governance and the proper use of a deceased scholar’s name and work in advocacy organisations.

Source: Ynet — Original article in Hebrew.