Investigation explores allegations of war crimes amid Gaza conflict spanning seventy-five years of tensions.
New York, N.Y. – A new Al Jazeera English documentary has sparked international debate by examining whether Israel is violating international law in its ongoing conflict with Gaza, drawing over one million views since its March 2024 release.
The hour-long investigation titled “Is Israel Above International Law?” explores allegations that Israeli forces have committed war crimes, crimes against humanity, ethnic cleansing, and genocide during their military response to Hamas’s October 7 attack. The documentary has generated thousands of comments from viewers worldwide, with many praising Al Jazeera’s commitment to investigative journalism.
Documentary Examines Western Powers’ Response
The film, edited by Jameel Hodzic, specifically questions why Western powers, particularly the United States, have remained largely silent despite mounting international criticism of Israel’s military actions in Gaza. According to the documentary’s description, “At first, the consensus of Western powers seemed solid: Israel has the right to fight back against Hamas. But more than five months later, Israel’s military was facing criticism worldwide.”
The investigation comes as the Israel-Gaza conflict continues to dominate international headlines, with the documentary noting that “The events of October 7 sent shockwaves across the world and brought to the forefront once again a conflict that has been ongoing for 75 years.”
Viewers Respond to Investigative Coverage
Comments on the documentary reveal strong international sentiment regarding the coverage.
One Australian viewer, Geoffrey Mee, wrote: “As an Australian far from the nightmare that is the genocide perpetrated day after day by a calculating Israel I find myself enraged at not only their willful intent of extermination but to see the sycophantic support for such murder by so many supposed sophisticated and human leaders of the Western World.”
Another commenter from Germany expressed similar concerns, stating: “I’m German and I’m profoundly saddened and infuriated that we are complicit in this genocide. Thanks for this great report and all my respect to the wonderful people like the U.N. Rapporteur Albanese who risk all their status and credibility in fighting for the lives of Palestinians.”
“If Israelis don’t want to be accused of being like the Nazis, they
simply need to stop behaving like Nazis.” – Norman Finkelstein
International Law Experts Featured
The documentary features testimony from various international law experts and includes quotes from historian Norman Finkelstein, who stated: “If Israelis don’t want to be accused of being like the Nazis, they simply need to stop behaving like Nazis.”
This particular quote was referenced multiple times in viewer comments, highlighting its impact on audiences.
The investigation also examines the role of the United Nations and international legal frameworks, with viewers noting the apparent double standards in enforcement.
One commenter observed: “The mental gymnastics that israeli lawyer is doing deserve an olympic gold medal,” referring to legal justifications presented in the documentary.
Global Audience Demands Action
The documentary has resonated with viewers across continents, with many calling for stronger international intervention. Comments reflect a growing frustration with what viewers perceive as inadequate enforcement of international law. “A law without enforcement is not a law at all. It means it might as well not exist. Human rights don’t exist any more,” wrote one viewer.
Canadian viewers expressed particular concern about their government’s position, with one commenting: “As a Canadian I am deeply troubled that my government is openly supporting a government that has proven to hold little regard for human rights or international law.”
The documentary’s impact extends beyond mere viewership numbers, with many commenters calling for the content to go viral and be shared widely across social media platforms.
