Current location:politics >>
VOX POPULI: ‘Domicide’ is yet another terrible addition to the lexicon of war
politics42People have gathered around
IntroductionWhat is a home? It is not only the place where one lives, but also from where one commutes to school ...
What is a home? It is not only the place where one lives, but also from where one commutes to school or work, goes shopping and returns to.
A community is made up of homes. A war or conflict can destroy homes and force residents to evacuate, breaking up families and sometimes wiping out the community itself.
It has been nearly four months since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war. About 27,000 citizens of Gaza have been killed and 1.9 million people--more than 80 percent of the population--have been displaced.
Recently, “domicide” has become a frequently used word in European and U.S. media reports on the conflict there.
While genocide means the intentional mass killing of a group of people, domicide denotes the deliberate, large-scale destruction of buildings such as civilian housing.
The word is etymologically rooted in the Latin “domus” (home) and “caedo” (to kill).
As of mid-January, according to the United Nations, about 70,000 homes in Gaza were completely destroyed and another 290,000 partially destroyed.
And aside from them, all manner of other civilian buildings and infrastructure facilities--such as schools, hospitals, mosques and farms--have been destroyed.
Israel insists the destruction is necessary “because of Hamas.”
The International Court of Justice last month ordered Israel to refrain from acts of genocide in Gaza. But there is no definition of domicide yet under international law.
Calls are being made to designate it as a crime under international humanitarian law so offenders can be brought to justice.
Domicide has been committed in Ukraine by invading Russian forces and in Syria during the civil war.
The act of depriving citizens of a home and hometown to return to can never be condoned.
--The Asahi Shimbun, Feb. 5
* *
*Vox Populi, Vox Dei is a popular daily column that takes up a wide range of topics, including culture, arts and social trends and developments. Written by veteran Asahi Shimbun writers, the column provides useful perspectives on and insights into contemporary Japan and its culture.
Tags:
Reprint:Friends are welcome to share on the Internet, but please indicate the source of the article when reprinting it.“International Insights news portal”。http://newcaledonia.tom-paine.com/news-85e699912.html
Related articles
Here comes the char
politicsTom Holland enjoyed a post-show cup of tea and proudly waved to fans as he left the Duke of York's T ...
【politics】
Read moreMinistry of Health calls staff meetings as job cuts loom
politicsPhoto: RNZ ...
【politics】
Read moreRustle these up with Rosemary: Chocolate fondants
politicsIn her new book, chef Rosemary Shrager guides you through tried and tested recipes that she vows wil ...
【politics】
Read more
Popular articles
- Elon Musk gets approval from FDA to implant his Neuralink brain chip into a second patient
- San Bernardino police arrest teen for murder of 14
- Watch: Nicola Willis reveals economy has slipped further this year
- Why we cannot let the disability support changes happen
- 'The Apprentice,' about a young Donald Trump, premieres in Cannes
- I lost my five
Latest articles
Cruise worker 'murders newborn son on board ship': Shocked co
FIRST LOOK: As Laura Ashley relaunches, how does it stack up against its vintage heyday?
Copa 71 review: An enlightening documentary about REAL girl power, writes BRIAN VINER
I get shamed by other mothers for being naturally pretty with a good figure
Supreme Court declines to hear challenge to Maryland ban on rifles known as assault weapons
Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi drives wife Princess Beatrice and his son Wolfie and sister
LINKS
- Conjoined twin's husband learns paternity test results after ex
- Morning sickness? Prenatal check
- Man who set himself on fire outside Trump hush money trial dies
- It's an all
- Revealed: The self
- Sarah Nurse scores in OT to lift Toronto over Montreal 3
- Clarifications and corrections
- Felix Rosenqvist career turnaround continues as Swede gives Meyer Shank Racing 1st IndyCar pole
- That'll show 'em! All
- Twins right