Group Instrumentalizing Raphael Lemkin’s Legacy to Advance Antisemitism
The legacy of Raphael Lemkin, the Jewish scholar who coined the term ‘genocide,’ is at the center of a growing controversy as a Pennsylvania-based nonprofit continues to exploit his name and legacy to advance antisemitism. Lemkin, a Jewish lawyer and scholar, was instrumental in defining the word ‘genocide’ after witnessing the horrors of the Holocaust, in which nearly 50 members of his family were murdered. His work culminated in the United Nations Genocide Convention of 1948, and he was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize 10 times.
Today, the name Raphael Lemkin is being used by the so-called Lemkin Institute for Genocide Prevention and Human Security to promote a narrative that is far removed from the values he championed. The Institute has distorted Lemkin’s legacy by misappropriating his name to denounce Israel and its supporters, even as it calls for the prosecution of Israeli leaders for allegedly committing genocide. Just days after the atrocities of October 7, 2023, when Hamas terrorists carried out brutal attacks on Israeli civilians, the Institute labeled Israel’s defensive response as genocide and called for the International Criminal Court to indict its prime minister. This claim has been widely disseminated, reaching millions of people worldwide.
Let us consider the irony in this exploitation. Lemkin’s term ‘genocide’ was created to describe the systematic annihilation of the Jewish people under Nazi rule. Now, an organization that claims to carry his voice is using it to demonize the very people he sought to protect. The Institute has also been accused of defending terrorist groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah, portraying them as victims of Israel’s actions. In some cases, it has even blamed the United States for complicity in ‘genocide’ for simply supporting its ally.
This behavior is not merely a misunderstanding—it is a deliberate perversion of Lemkin’s life work. The Institute’s actions are not about preventing genocide, but rather about advancing a harmful agenda that contradicts the principles Lemkin stood for. The Lemkin family, including attorney Joseph Lemkin, has joined the European Jewish Association to demand accountability from Pennsylvania authorities. They have filed complaints against the Institute, arguing that it is violating state and federal laws by misusing Lemkin’s name and likeness.
The legal violations cited include unauthorized use of a name and likeness, post-mortem right of publicity, identity theft, false endorsement, and violations of Pennsylvania’s charitable solicitation laws. The family insists that no one has the right to exploit the legacy of a man who dedicated his life to preventing the kinds of hatred and violence that now threaten the Jewish state itself. Their stance is clear: anyone can debate policy, but no one can hijack a legacy to promote antisemitism.
The broader implications of this misuse of Lemkin’s name are significant. If the name of a man who fought to prevent genocide can be twisted into a weapon against the Jewish people, then the legacy of any historian or activist could be similarly exploited. The Institute’s actions are a stark reminder of the power of language and the dangers of allowing misinformation to spread under the guise of truth. As the Institute continues to amplify its distorted message, the Jewish community—and anyone who values truth—must stand united to preserve the integrity of Lemkin’s legacy.