Family members of Raphael Lemkin, the Polish Jewish scholar who created the word “genocide,” are calling on Pennsylvania state officials to examine a nonprofit organization that bears his name and has accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza.
The controversy involves a Pennsylvania-based charitable organization called the Lemkin Institute for Genocide Prevention, which claims to focus on preventing mass atrocities and protecting human security. Those opposing the group argue it has exploited Lemkin’s reputation to give credibility to statements critical of Israel. The organization has dismissed these claims and characterized the effort against it as politically motivated.
According to initial reporting by The Algemeiner, Joseph Lemkin, a descendant of Raphael Lemkin, joined forces with the European Jewish Association to petition Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and the state’s Bureau of Corporations and Charitable Organizations. Their complaint seeks formal action under Pennsylvania’s charitable organization laws rather than simply voicing public opposition to the institute’s stance.
The Washington Free Beacon subsequently revealed that over 100 academics specializing in Holocaust and genocide studies endorsed a letter backing the Lemkin family’s concerns. These scholars contend that the organization’s appropriation of the Lemkin name misrepresents the heritage of a Holocaust survivor who supported Zionism and contributed to developing the Genocide Convention.
The institute made genocide accusations against Israel soon after the October 7, 2023 Hamas assault on Israel, during which militants murdered approximately 1,200 individuals and kidnapped over 250 others. Israeli officials have firmly rejected any genocide allegations, maintaining that their military operations in Gaza constitute legitimate self-defense against Hamas. Meanwhile, South Africa’s genocide lawsuit against Israel continues at the International Court of Justice, which has implemented temporary protective orders but has yet to issue a final determination.
Efforts to strip the organization of its federal tax-exempt standing would encounter significant legal obstacles. The Internal Revenue Service manages federal 501(c)(3) designations, while Pennsylvania’s charitable oversight bureau handles state registration requirements and fundraising regulations. Typically, advocacy work alone, even when highly controversial, does not result in the loss of nonprofit tax benefits.
