This week, reports surfaced that the International Association of Genocide Scholars (IAGS) passed a resolution condemning Israel's actions in Gaza as genocidal. However, investigations revealed significant issues with the resolution's legitimacy and the organization's membership practices.

The IAGS, which claims around 500 members, stated that 129 individuals participated in the vote, representing only 28 percent of its membership. This barely met the quorum requirements outlined in the organization's bylaws. Of those who voted, 86 percent supported the resolution, which declared that Israel's actions “meet the legal definition of genocide.”

Major media outlets quickly amplified the story. The Washington Post described the IAGS as the “oldest and largest association of genocide scholars,” claiming it joined a growing chorus of voices asserting that Israel is committing genocide. Similarly, The Guardian and BBC echoed this sentiment, with headlines suggesting a consensus among leading experts.

However, many reports failed to mention the low participation rate in the vote. The Guardian inaccurately stated that an “overwhelming majority of members” supported the resolution, while The Washington Post quoted an IAGS board member in a way that implied broader organizational agreement.

In a subsequent interview, IAGS President Melanie O’Brien acknowledged the low turnout, calling it “quite standard.” She noted that the membership includes not only academics but also individuals from various communities involved in genocide prevention and education.

Further scrutiny revealed that the IAGS has no formal membership requirements. For a fee as low as $30, anyone can join and label themselves a “genocide scholar.” This lack of vetting raised questions about the credibility of the organization. Notably, Iraq was found to be overrepresented in the membership, with 80 individuals listed, including several profiles that appeared to be from the same family.

Following these revelations, the IAGS faced a surge of new applications, many of which were satirical. Notable additions to the membership roster included fictional characters like Adolf Hitler and Cookie Monster, prompting the organization to deactivate its social media accounts and remove its membership list from public view.

Critics within the organization have also voiced concerns. Longtime member Sara Brown described the resolution process as “a disaster from start to finish.” She claimed that members who opposed the resolution were blocked from discussing their concerns and that the leadership failed to disclose the authors of the resolution. Brown criticized the document for being “poorly cited” and containing “unsubstantiated claims.”

O’Brien has previously expressed her belief that Israel is committing genocide, a view she reiterated in her recent interview. Despite the controversy, major media outlets that reported on the IAGS's resolution have not issued corrections or updates regarding the organization's membership standards. This lack of accountability may lead readers to mistakenly believe there is a consensus among genocide scholars regarding Israel's actions.