ILF launches dictionary to reclaim 'hijacked' terms related to October 7, Israel-Hamas war

On the third anniversary of the October 7 massacre, the International Legal Forum (ILF) unveiled its Dictionary of Terms, an online tool designed to reclaim terms that opponents of Israel have misused. The ILF, a network of 4,000 lawyers led by CEO Michal Cotler-Wunsh, announced the launch of the Dictionary of Terms website, expressing hope that it will help remember, reclaim, and renew the principles of law that have been weaponized.

The ILF argues that terms like "genocide," "apartheid," "war crimes," and "crimes against humanity" have been detached from their legal definitions and repurposed as political weapons. They define a hijacked term as one with a specific legal or historical meaning that has been stripped of its true meaning and used for political gain.

Currently, the Dictionary of Terms features nine terms, with six more under development. Each term includes the legal definition under international law, background information, examples, and a description of how the term has been weaponized and by whom. Users can also submit terms for inclusion.

ILF CEO Michal Cotler-Wunsh stated that this resource is vital in the ongoing war against humanity and freedom, as it remembers the origins of these terms, reclaims their original meaning, and renews the shared commitment to uphold and protect them consistently. Alongside the website launch, the ILF is running a social media campaign featuring international experts such as Irwin Cotler, Gerald Steinberg, and Natan Sharansky to support its mission.

Cotler-Wunsh emphasized that the dictionary is not just for lawyers but for the general public who use these terms in the war of words. The target audience includes individuals from all places and spaces.