The family of Raphael Lemkin demands to remove his name from the institute: controversy over accusations against Israel of “genocide”

The family of the author of the term “genocide,” Raphael Lemkin, demands to remove his name from the American institute accusing Israel. Why this dispute also concerns Ukraine.

Scandal in the USA: Institute vs. Family

In Pennsylvania, the “Lemkin Institute for Genocide Prevention” has been operating since 2021. After October 7, 2023, its leaders repeatedly published statements accusing Israel of “genocide of Palestinians in Gaza.”

These statements provoked a sharp reaction from the family of Raphael Lemkin, a Jewish lawyer who coined the term “genocide.”

The relatives demanded the immediate removal of his name from the institute’s title. According to them, using Lemkin’s name for such accusations is an “insult to memory” and a “substitution of his legacy.”

Arguments of the Lemkin Family

• The institute did not receive the family’s permission to use the surname.
• Accusations against Israel distort the essence of the concept of genocide developed by Lemkin himself.
• Raphael Lemkin fought all his life for legal accuracy and honesty, not for slogans or political campaigns.
• The use of his name in such a context is perceived as deception and discreditation.

The European Jewish Association (EJA) supported the family by sending an official appeal to the authorities of Pennsylvania.

Position of the Institute

The leaders of the institute claim that their mission is to identify patterns of genocide, not to wait for catastrophes. According to them, using Lemkin’s name is intended to bring his ideas back into public discourse.

The institute states that it is ready for dialogue with the family but insists that its work is based on the analysis of facts and documentation, not politics.

Who Was Raphael Lemkin

• Born in 1900 in a Jewish family, studied law in Lviv.
• Survived the Holocaust, losing many relatives.
• In 1944, introduced the term “genocide,” combining the Greek genos (“race, people”) and the Latin caedere (“to kill”).
• His ideas formed the basis of the UN Convention on the Prevention of the Crime of Genocide (1948).
• Considered the Holodomor of 1932–1933 in Ukraine a classic example of genocide.

Why This Concerns Ukraine

For Ukrainians, the figure of Lemkin is especially significant. He was one of the first in the world to legally define the Holodomor as genocide. Ukraine today actively relies on his legacy, seeking international recognition of this tragedy.

The scandal in the USA is perceived with concern in Kyiv: the distortion of Lemkin’s name could undermine the very idea of the accuracy of the term “genocide,” on which the recognition of the Holodomor is based.

For Israel — It’s a Matter of Memory

The Israeli side sees in the actions of the institute a distorted use of the name of a Jew who dedicated his life to the fight for the truth about the Holocaust. For Israelis, Lemkin’s name is associated with legal protection against crimes against humanity, not with unfounded accusations.

Conclusions

• The family of Raphael Lemkin demands to remove his name from the institute accusing Israel of genocide.
• The institute justifies itself with a mission to prevent catastrophes but loses trust due to politicized statements.
• Ukraine is directly interested in preserving Lemkin’s legacy, as he recognized the Holodomor as genocide.
• For Israel, this dispute is a matter of memory, respect, and the fight against manipulations around the concept of “genocide.”

History shows: Lemkin’s name is not just a symbol. It is a legal foundation that should remain outside politics and serve the memory of the victims of real genocides.