In a powerful and deeply emotional statement, celebrated Israeli author and peace activist David Grossman has condemned his own country’s military campaign in Gaza, calling it nothing short of “genocide.” Known for his literary brilliance and moral conscience, Grossman said he uses the term with “immense pain and a broken heart,” reflecting the anguish many feel over the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the besieged Palestinian territory.

A Term Long Avoided — Until Now

Speaking to the Italian newspaper La Repubblica, Grossman explained that he had long resisted applying the term genocide to Israel’s actions. For years, he maintained hope that the suffering inflicted during conflict could be understood through the lens of tragic necessity or political complexity. But that view has now shifted.

“For many years, I refused to use that term: ‘genocide’,” Grossman said. “But now, after the images I have seen and after talking to people who were there, I can’t help using it.”

His words carry added weight because Grossman is not only one of Israel’s most respected literary figures but also a symbol of the Israeli peace movement. His decision to use such a loaded term against his own country represents a moral stand that is both rare and courageous.

“This Word Is an Avalanche”

Grossman acknowledged the gravity of his statement, describing the word genocide as an “avalanche.” Once used, it cannot be ignored or softened—it grows, intensifies, and brings with it a heavy sense of historical and moral reckoning.

“This word is an avalanche: once you say it, it just gets bigger, like an avalanche. And it adds even more destruction and suffering,” he told La Repubblica.

His remarks follow similar language used by a major Israeli human rights organization earlier this week, further amplifying international concern. Images of starving children and destroyed hospitals in Gaza have sparked widespread outrage around the globe.

Haunted by History and Human Conscience

As a child of a nation built in the shadow of the Holocaust, Grossman expressed deep sorrow over the moral contradiction of witnessing famine, destruction, and mass suffering tied to the state of Israel.

“It is devastating to put the words ‘Israel’ and ‘famine’ together,” he said, recalling the Jewish people’s own history of persecution. “Because of the Holocaust and our supposed sensitivity to the suffering of humanity.”

His grief is not only political—it is also profoundly personal. Grossman lost his own son, Uri, who was killed in the 2006 Lebanon War while serving in the Israeli army. Since then, he has used his voice to advocate for peace, justice, and a more compassionate vision of the future.

A Voice of Conscience Amid War

David Grossman’s literary legacy spans more than three decades. His novels, essays, and journalism have been translated into dozens of languages and earned him numerous international honors, including the Israel Prize for Literature in 2018—his country’s most prestigious cultural award.

Even as a laureate of Israeli national pride, Grossman has consistently criticized government policies that he believes fuel division, injustice, and conflict. His willingness to stand against prevailing narratives makes his voice especially significant in a time of deep polarization.

Global Reverberations

Grossman’s statement is already making waves globally. At a time when international legal experts and humanitarian organizations are calling for investigations into war crimes and violations of international law in Gaza, his use of the word genocide is likely to intensify scrutiny of Israel’s conduct.

But beyond politics, his words serve as a human cry—a moral reflection on the pain of witnessing suffering, and the shame of silence.

As the world watches the Gaza tragedy unfold, Grossman’s anguished truth reminds us that even in the heart of conflict, voices of conscience still rise to speak—not in hatred, but in heartbreak.