Raphael Lemkin, who coined the term “genocide” and contributed to the 1948 UN Genocide Convention, is at the center of controversy involving the Lemkin Institute for Genocide Prevention, which has faced backlash from his family and Jewish leaders for perceived political biases against Israel. Critics argue the institute, founded in 2021, strays from its nonpartisan mission by condemning Israel’s actions in Gaza while neglecting other genocide victims. The European Jewish Association has urged federal scrutiny of the institute’s political stance and its use of Lemkin’s name without family consent. This conflict raises concerns about the integrity of an organization linked to the legacy of a Holocaust survivor and advocate for genocide prevention.
