[Order Michael Finch’s new book, A Time to Stand: HERE. Prof. Jason Hill calls it “an aesthetic and political tour de force.”]
Now, I’ve tried out a number of professions — soda jerk, lumberjack, jack of all trades, tantric sex instructor, naturalist in Estotiland, gandy dancer on the Atchison Topeka and the Santa Fe — but until now I hadn’t thought of becoming an expert in genocide studies. Now that I know how easy it is, and cheap, too, in every sense, I think I’ll become one of those experts so I can join in the denunciation of malevolent teeny-weeny Israel for its “genocide” in Gaza. More on just how easy it is to become a member of the International Association of Genocide Scholars can be found here: “‘Genocide scholars’ for $30? Easy entry, fake members undermine confidence in IAGS resolution,” by Michael Starr, Jerusalem Post, September 4, 2025:
Activists have brought into question the credibility of a new International Association of Genocide Scholars (IAGS) resolution declaring Israel to be engaged in genocide, with the discovery that admission into the organization could be obtained for $30, and its membership had spiked since October 2023.
Until Wednesday, applicants could purchase an annual membership subscription according to their income bracket.
Prices ranged from $30 to $125 to be able to participate in IAGS activities, including e-mail voting for resolutions, such as the Monday one on Israeli actions in Gaza.
Honest Reporting Board member Salo Aizenberg and Middle East analyst Eitan Fischberger demonstrated on social media the ease of joining the association on Wednesday, leading to a wave of applications. Those seeking to become “genocide scholars” inundated the website, with some applying as Nazi leader Adolf Hitler or Star Wars villain Emperor Palpatine.
“It turns out literally anyone can join this body and vote on matters that make international headlines – like the resolution claiming Israel is committing genocide,” Aizenberg said on X/Twitter.
“Yes, there are some legitimate academics who are members. But when an organization with no standards, no transparency, and no accountability makes sweeping pronouncements about ‘genocide,’ it isn’t scholarship – it’s politics masquerading as scholarship. And everyone deserves to know the difference.”…
According to Internet archives, IAGS’s directory of members stood at about 150 on October 2, 2023. Membership in IAGS almost doubled to 280 by April 2024, and again to 440 by the release of its newest resolution.
Strange, that sudden explosion in membership in the IAGS that began just after October 7, 2023. Did those who joined after that date have in mind that the organization might be the perfect vehicle for those wanting a scholarly cover for their anti-Israel animus?
Aizenberg questioned on social media how it was known who voted for the Israel resolution. According to a September 1 press release, 28% of the association’s members voted on the resolution, with 86% [of that 28%] in favor….
At the time of the press release on September 1, IAGS announced that it had 500 members. Few of those commenting on the “Israel is guilty of genocide” resolution put out by the IAGS remarked that only 28% of the members — 140 — had even bothered to vote. And of those 140, only 120 voted for the resolution. It certainly would have put a different slant if the headlines about the vote had read, truthfully, thus: “Only 120 out of 500 members of the IAGS have voted for a resolution accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza.”
Now I, and a few hundred others, have sent in our applications for membership, along with the membership fee. Surely we won’t be rejected. Isn’t our money just as good as that of others who have joined IAGS since October 7, 2023 — Marwan, Ahmed, Mahmoud, Mohamed, Muhammad, Jihad, Yahya, Khaled, Ismail? Of course it is. And once our membership applications are accepted — what would be the grounds for keeping us out? — we’ll be coming out with a new IAGS resolution on Gaza, Hamas, and Israel. I can promise you it won’t be anything like the first one. Stay tuned.