In 1944, Raphael Lemkin, a Polish Jewish lawyer, provided the world with a new word, “Genocide,” defined as “the destruction of a nation or ethnic group.”

Expanding his definition, Lemkin noted that “Genocide is directed against the national group as an entity, and that actions involved are directed against individuals, not in their individual capacity, but as members of the national group.” With Lemkin’s persistent efforts, in December of 1948 the newly-created United Nations adopted the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.” Today, in light of Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine, the pragmatic value of this Convention is being tested by many countries and their leaders, including those who disgrace themselves by their failure to publicly denounce the crimes being conducted upon the Ukrainian people. Of particular note and concern are two countries that would, seemingly, be the first to speak out–the Vatican and Israel.

In terms of the former, a stain on the historical relationship between Catholics and Jews has been brought to the fore by current events. Pope Pius the XII, during the entire course of World War II, failed to denounce by name and/or excommunicate Nazi leader, Adolf Hitler, for Germany’s crimes against humanity. Today, under Pope Francis, much of the world has been urging the Catholic leader to take a different direction and speak out and take action against Vladimir Putin, and other Russian leaders, for their Genocidal behavior. Unfortunately, a so-far static approach by the Vatican will, sadly, produce more ill-will between the Papacy and the rest of the world.

Israel’s conduct towards the Russian government and its leaders is also morally puzzling and deplorable. The country proudly calls herself the Jewish State. Created out of the ashes of the Holocaust, no people nor nation should better understand what Genocide means and the importance of labeling its perpetrators as murderers. Putin is guilty of crimes against humanity and should be publicly ostracized, shunned, and ultimately brought to justice for those crimes. Israelis–and the Jewish people–need no one to point that out. Yet, for fear of securing Putin’s wrath and losing his political support, Putin’s actions are ignored by those who should denounce them loudest. Arguing that to correctly label Putin as a Genocidal murderer would endanger Israel’s national security, can be readily used by any nation as a reason for inaction. Coming from the Jewish nation it is a moral and ethical tragedy.

Naftali Bennett, Israel’s Prime Minister, describes himself as a religious man, one whose behavior in other regards, is often laudable. But, applause must be muted for this outrage upon victims of Genocide. The former Russian Jewish dissident and current Israeli political leader, Natan Sharansky, is right: there must be no forgiveness of Putin’s crimes. Committing Genocide is never forgivable. Otherwise, the world’s silence will only result in more murder and terror directed against a particularized “nation or ethnic group.” Lord, help us all.